Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DE-CAY', v.i. [Fr. dechoir, from L. de and cado, to fall, or decedo; It. scadere; Sp. decaer; Fort. descahir.]

1. To pass gradually from a sound, prosperous, or perfect state, to a less perfect state, or toward destruction; to fail; to decline; to be gradually impaired. Our bodies decay in old age; a tree decays; buildings decay; fortunes decay.
2. To become weaker; to fail; as, our strength decays, or hopes decay.