ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈpōz verb
Etymology: French décomposer, from dé- de- (from Old French des- ) + composer to compose — more at compose
transitive verb
1.
a. : to separate or resolve into constituent parts or elements or into simpler compounds
found that the water was decomposed into … hydrogen and oxygen — S.F.Mason
b. : to distinguish by analysis
were I compelled to decompose the motives of my worthy friend — Sir Walter Scott
2. : to cause chemical disintegration of (organic matter) : rot
intransitive verb
: to break up into constituent elements : undergo chemical change : decay , rot , disintegrate
Synonyms: see decay