n.
Pronunciation: ' de-k ə -d ə n(t)s also di- ' k ā -
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French, from Medieval Latin decadentia, from Late Latin decadent-, decadens, present participle of decadere to fall, sink ― more at DECAY
Date: 1530
1 : the process of becoming decadent : the quality or state of being decadent
2 : a period of decline
synonyms see DETERIORATION