decaying
present participle of decay
decaying (plural decayings)
The process of undergoing decay.
Source: Wiktionary
De*cay", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Decayed; p. pr. & vb. n. Decaying.] Etym: [OF. decaeir, dechaer, decheoir, F. déchoir, to decline, fall, become less; L. de- + cadere to fall. See Chance.]
Definition: 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. Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, Where wealth accumulates and men decay. Goldsmith.
De*cay", v. t.
1. To cause to decay; to impair. [R.] Infirmity, that decays the wise. Shak.
2. To destroy. [Obs.] Shak.
De*cay", n.
1. Gradual failure of health, strength, soundness, prosperity, or of any species of excellence or perfection; tendency toward dissolution or extinction; corruption; rottenness; decline; deterioration; as, the decay of the body; the decay of virtue; the decay of the Roman empire; a castle in decay. Perhaps my God, though he be far before, May turn, and take me by the hand, and more -May strengthen my decays. Herbert. His [Johnson's] failure was not to be ascribed to intellectual decay. Macaulay. Which has caused the decay of the consonants to follow somewhat different laws. James Byrne.
2. Destruction; death. [Obs.] Spenser.
3. Cause of decay. [R.] He that plots to be the only figure among ciphers, is the decay of the whole age. Bacon.
Syn.
– Decline; consumption. See Decline.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
17 May 2025
(noun) sessile marine coelenterates including solitary and colonial polyps; the medusoid phase is entirely suppressed
Coffee dates back to the 9th century. Goat herders in Ethiopia noticed their goats seem to be “dancing” after eating berries from a particular shrub. They reported it to the local monastery, and a monk made a drink out of it. The monk found out he felt energized and kept him awake at night. That’s how the first coffee drink was born.
