decaying
UK: dɪˈkeɪɪŋ | US: dɪˈkeɪɪŋ
vi. 1. the process of rotting or decomposing
adj. 2. in a state of decline or deterioration
The word "decaying" originates from the Old French decair ("to fall away or decline"), which itself derives from the Latin decadere (de- "down" + cadere "to fall"). The morpheme decay preserves the core idea of gradual decline, while -ing marks its ongoing action or state. The term vividly captures the natural progression from wholeness to disintegration, whether in organic matter or abstract concepts like societal structures.
The decaying leaves released a musty odor into the forest air.
Without maintenance, the abandoned house is slowly decaying.
Historians study the decaying empires of the past to understand societal collapse.
The dentist warned that decaying teeth can lead to serious infections.
The mural’s colors are decaying due to prolonged exposure to sunlight.