decay
/dɪˈkeɪ; dɪ`ke/ v
1 [I, Tn] (cause sth to) become bad; rot; decompose （使某物）变坏, 腐烂, 变质
decaying teeth, vegetables 龋齿、 腐烂的蔬菜
Sugar decays your teeth. 糖能腐蚀牙齿.
2 [I] lose power, vigour, influence, etc 失去权力、 活力、 影响等
a decaying culture, society, regime, etc 衰退的文化、 社会、 政权等
Our powers decay (ie We become less strong, alert, etc) in old age. 我们的体力、 精力在老年时就衰退. decay, n [U]
(state reached by the process of) decaying 腐败、 衰退的状态: `tooth decay 蛀牙
The empire is in decay. 帝国在衰亡.
The feudal system slowly fell into decay, ie stopped working. 封建制度在缓慢地衰亡.