decay

decay

英 [dɪ'keɪ]
　　美 [dɪ'ke]

vi. 衰退，[核] 衰減；腐爛，腐朽
　　n. 衰退，[核] 衰減；腐爛，腐朽
　　vt. 使腐爛，使腐敗；使衰退，使衰落
　　n. (Decay)人名；(法)德凱

v.(動詞)decay的基本意思是通過化學變化而“(使)腐爛,(使)腐朽”。可用來比喻因體力、精力、活力或影響力等的喪失而“衰敗,衰退,衰落”至一個較原來低或差的狀態,此時隻用作不及物動詞。

中文詞源：

decay 腐爛

de-, 向下。-cay, 同-cad, 掉落，詞源同case, accident. 引申義腐爛。

例句：

1. When not removed, plaque causes tooth decay and gum disease.
牙斑如果不清除就會導致牙齒蛀蝕和牙齦疾病。

2. There are problems of urban decay and gang violence.
存在城市衰敗和幫派暴力的問題。

3. The phosphate was deposited by the decay of marine microorganisms.
海洋微生物腐爛後沉積形成磷酸鹽。

4. The landlord had let the building fall into decay .
房東不管，房子已經破爛不堪。

5. The decay of the meat could have been prevented by proper refrigeration.
如果經過適當的冷藏,這些肉本來不至於腐爛掉.