GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 3 definitions

1.       
   Decay , v. i. [imp. & p. p. Decayed ; p. pr. & vb. n. Decaying.] [OF. decaeir, dechaer, decheoir, F. déchoir, to decline, fall, become less; L. de- + cadere to fall. See Chance.] To pass gradually from a sound, prosperous, or perfect state, to one of imperfection, adversity, or dissolution; to waste away; to decline; to fail; to become weak, corrupt, or disintegrated; to rot; to perish; as, a tree decays; fortunes decay; hopes decay.
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   Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey,
   Where wealth accumulates and men decay.
   Goldsmith.
   
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2.       
   Decay, v. t.
   To cause to decay; to impair. [R.]
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   Infirmity, that decays the wise.
   Shak.
   
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   To destroy. [Obs.]
   Shak.
   
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3.       
   Decay, n.
   Gradual failure of health, strength, soundness, prosperity, or of any species of excellence or perfection; tendency toward dissolution or extinction; corruption; rottenness; decline; deterioration; as, the decay of the body; the decay of virtue; the decay of the Roman empire; a castle in decay.
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   Perhaps my God, though he be far before,
   May turn, and take me by the hand, and more --
   May strengthen my decays.
   Herbert.
   
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   His [Johnson's] failure was not to be ascribed to intellectual decay.
   Macaulay.
   
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   Which has caused the decay of the consonants to follow somewhat different laws.
   James Byrne.
   
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   Destruction; death. [Obs.]
   Spenser.
   
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   Cause of decay. [R.]
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   He that plots to be the only figure among ciphers, is the decay of the whole age.
   Bacon.
   Syn. -- Decline; consumption. See Decline.
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