decaying

1 definition found

decaying - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Decay \De*cay"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Decayed; p. pr. & vb. n.
     Decaying.] [OF. decaeir, dechaer, decheoir, F. d['e]choir,
     to decline, fall, become less; L. de- + cadere to fall. See
     Chance.]
     To pass gradually from a sound, prosperous, or perfect state,
     to one of imperfection, adversity, or dissolution; to waste
     away; to decline; to fail; to become weak, corrupt, or
     disintegrated; to rot; to perish; as, a tree decays; fortunes
     decay; hopes decay.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey,
           Where wealth accumulates and men decay.  --Goldsmith.
     [1913 Webster]