/dek"euh deuhns, di kayd"ns/ , n.
1. the act or process of falling into an inferior condition or state; deterioration; decay: Some historians hold that the fall of Rome can be attributed to internal decadence.
2. moral degeneration or decay; turpitude.
3. unrestrained or excessive self-indulgence.
4. ( often cap. ) the decadent movement in literature.
Also, decadency /dek"euh deuhn see, di kayd"n-/ .
[ 1540-50; decadentia, equiv. to LL decadent- (s. of decadens ), prp. of decadere to fall away ( de- DE- + cad ( ere ) to fall + -ent- -ENT) + -ia n. suffix; see -ENCE ]
Syn. 1. degeneration, retrogression, decline.