Decay
/dɪˈkeɪ/noun
The process of rotting or decomposing.
Did you know?In ancient beliefs, decay was often seen as a necessary step in the cycle of life, symbolizing renewal and rebirth, echoing powerful alchemical processes.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kākw-
“to be bad, rotten, or decayed.”
Latin
Latin
cadere
“to fall or to die.”
Old French
Old French
decayre
“to fall down, to decline.”
Middle English
Middle English
decayen
“to waste away, to deteriorate.”
Modern English
English
decay
“to undergo decomposition or decline in quality.”
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