Rot vs. Decay

Rotverb

(intransitive) To suffer decomposition due to biological action, especially by fungi or bacteria.

Rotverb

(intransitive) To decline in function or utility.

Rotverb

(ambitransitive) To (cause to) deteriorate in any way, as in morals; to corrupt.

Rotverb

(transitive) To make putrid; to cause to be wholly or partially decomposed by natural processes.

Rotverb

To spend a long period of time (in an unpleasant place).

Rotverb

(transitive) To expose, as flax, to a process of maceration, etc., for the purpose of separating the fiber; to ret.

Rotnoun

The process of becoming rotten; putrefaction.

Rotnoun

Any of several diseases in which breakdown of tissue occurs.

Rotnoun

Verbal nonsense.

Rotverb

To undergo a process common to organic substances by which they lose the cohesion of their parts and pass through certain chemical changes, giving off usually in some stages of the process more or less offensive odors; to become decomposed by a natural process; to putrefy; to decay.

Rotverb

Figuratively: To perish slowly; to decay; to die; to become corrupt.

Rotverb

To make putrid; to cause to be wholly or partially decomposed by natural processes; as, to rot vegetable fiber.

Rotverb

To expose, as flax, to a process of maceration, etc., for the purpose of separating the fiber; to ret.

Rotnoun

Process of rotting; decay; putrefaction.

Rotnoun

A disease or decay in fruits, leaves, or wood, supposed to be caused by minute fungi. See Bitter rot, Black rot, etc., below.

Rotnoun

A fatal distemper which attacks sheep and sometimes other animals. It is due to the presence of a parasitic worm in the liver or gall bladder. See 1st Fluke, 2.

Rotnoun

decay usually accompanied by an offensive odor

Rotnoun

(biology) decaying caused by bacterial or fungal action

Rotnoun

unacceptable behavior (especially ludicrously false statements)

Rotverb

break down;

Rotverb

waste away;

Rotverb

(chiefly of animal or vegetable matter) decay or cause to decay by the action of bacteria and fungi; decompose

Rotverb

gradually deteriorate, especially through neglect

Rotverb

make fun of; tease

Rotnoun

the process of decaying

Rotnoun

rotten or decayed matter.

Rotnoun

any of a number of fungal or bacterial diseases that cause tissue deterioration, especially in plants.

Rotnoun

liver rot in sheep.

Rotnoun

a process of deterioration; a decline in standards

Rotnoun

corruption on the part of officials.

Rotnoun

nonsense; rubbish

Decaynoun

The process or result of being gradually decomposed.

Decaynoun

A deterioration of condition; loss of status or fortune.

Decayverb

(intransitive) To deteriorate, to get worse, to lose strength or health, to decline in quality.

Decayverb

To undergo bit rot, that is, gradual degradation.

Decayverb

To undergo software rot, that is, to fail to be updated in a changing environment, so as to eventually become legacy or obsolete.

Decayverb

To undergo prolonged reduction in altitude (above the orbited body).

Decayverb

To rot, to go bad.

Decayverb

To change by undergoing fission, by emitting radiation, or by capturing or losing one or more electrons.

Decayverb

To undergo optical decay, that is, to relax to a less excited state, usually by emitting a photon or phonon.

Decayverb

Loss of airspeed due to drag.

Decayverb

(transitive) To cause to rot or deteriorate.

Decayverb

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.

Decayverb

To cause to decay; to impair.

Decayverb

To destroy.

Decaynoun

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.

Decaynoun

Destruction; death.

Decaynoun

Cause of decay.

Decaynoun

the process of gradually becoming inferior

Decaynoun

a gradual decrease; as of stored charge or current

Decaynoun

the organic phenomenon of rotting

Decaynoun

an inferior state resulting from the process of decaying;

Decaynoun

the spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance along with the emission of ionizing radiation

Decayverb

lose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current;

Decayverb

fall into decay or ruin;

Decayverb

undergo decay or decomposition;