Emily Dickinson Lexicon

decay (-ed), v. [OFr < L. caděre, to fall.] (webplay: fail, gradually, make, pass, perfect).

1. Expire; decompose; die; pass away; slowly progress towards death.
2. Fade; shrivel; wither; lose vitality.
3. Depart; vanish into darkness; disappear into shadow.
4. Disband; separate; break up; fall apart; lose efficacy; experience breach of contract; [fig.] divorce.
5. Deteriorate; disintegrate; wear away; decline gradually; (see Ecclesiastes 10:18).
6. Transform; experience mortality; go through natural stages of growth and change.
7. Become illegible; lose its inscriptions to weathering; become unreadable with the passage of time.
8. Become obsolete; go out of fashion.
9. Weaken; dissipate.