decay1/dIˋke; dIˈkeI/v [I] 1 to be slowly destroyed by a natural chemical process 腐烂: dead or decaying plants 死亡或腐烂的植物2 if buildings decay, they are slowly destroyed because no one takes care of them〔建筑物〕破败: Many prisons are old and decaying. 很多监狱都陈旧破败。 —decayed adj
decay2n [U] when something decays 腐烂﹐腐朽: tooth decay 蛀牙The house fell into decay . 那房子已破烂不堪。