De*cay" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Decayed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Decaying.] [OF. decaeir, dechaer, decheoir, F. d'echoir, 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.

Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, Where wealth accumulates and men decay. Goldsmith.

 

© Webster 1913.


De*cay", v. t.

1.

To cause to decay; to impair.

[R.]

Infirmity, that decays the wise. Shak.

2.

To destroy.

[Obs.]

Shak.

 

© Webster 1913.


De*cay", n.

1.

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.

Perhaps my God, though he be far before, May turn, and take me by the hand, and more - May strengthen my decays. Herbert.

His [Johnson's] failure was not to be ascribed to intellectual decay. Macaulay.

Which has caused the decay of the consonants to follow somewhat different laws. James Byrne.

2.

Destruction; death.

[Obs.]

Spenser.

3.

Cause of decay.

[R.]

He that plots to be the only figure among ciphers, is the decay of the whole age. Bacon.

Syn. -- Decline; consumption. See Decline.

 

© Webster 1913.