词典释义：
(of organic matter) rot or decompose through the action of bacteria and fungi
（有机物质）腐坏，腐败
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a jelly that rapidly decays into an unpleasant mush 很快会变成臭糊的果冻
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[as adj.
decaying ]the odour of decaying fish .腐烂的鱼臭味。
[with obj.]cause to rot or decompose
使腐坏，使腐烂
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the fungus will decay soft timber .菌类会使软木材腐烂。
(of a building or area)fall into disrepair; deteriorate
（建筑、地区）坍塌失修，坏损
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facilities decay when money is not spent on refurbishment .因为没有花钱整修，所以设施都受损了。
decline in quality, power, or vigour
衰减，衰微，衰退
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the moral authority of the party was decaying .该党的道德权威已日渐衰微。
【物理】 （放射性物质、粒子等）衰变
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the trapped radiocarbon begins to decay at a known rate .陷俘的放射性碳开始以已知速率衰变。
〈技〉 （物理量）衰减
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the time taken for the current to decay to zero .电流衰减到零所需的时间。
the state or process of rotting or decomposition
腐败，腐坏，腐烂
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hardwood is more resistant to decay than softwood 硬木材比软木材耐腐
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tooth decay .牙齿龋蚀。
structural or physical deterioration
破败
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the old barn rapidly fell into decay .老谷仓很快破败。
rotten matter or tissue
腐败物；腐烂组织
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fluoride heals small spots of decay .氟化物可以治愈小面积腐烂。
the process of declining in quality, power, or vigour
衰减，衰微，衰退
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the problems of urban decay .城市衰退的诸多问题。
【物理】 衰变
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the gas radon is produced by the decay of uranium in rocks and soil 气体氡是由岩石和土壤中的铀衰变产生的
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[count noun]
he developed a detector for decays of carbon-14 .他发明了碳－１４衰变探测器。
〈技〉 （物理量的）衰减
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the required time constant for current decay is 1 ms. 电流衰减所需的时间常数是一毫秒。
"late Middle English： from Old French
