Adjacent Words

Decomposition definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

DECOMPOSI'TION, n.
1. Analysis; the act of separating the constituent parts of a substance, which are chimically combined. Decomposition differs from mechanical division, as the latter effects no change in the properties of the body divided, whereas the parts chimically decomposed have properties very different from those of the substance itself.
2. A second composition.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: the analysis of a vector field [syn: decomposition, vector decomposition]
2: in a decomposed state [syn: decomposition, disintegration]
3: (chemistry) separation of a substance into two or more substances that may differ from each other and from the original substance [syn: decomposition, decomposition reaction, chemical decomposition reaction]
4: (biology) the process of decay caused by bacterial or fungal action [syn: decomposition, rot, rotting, putrefaction]
5: the organic phenomenon of rotting [syn: decay, decomposition]

Merriam Webster's

noun see decompose

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Decomposition De*com`po*si"tion, n. [Pref. de- (in sense 3 intensive) + composition: cf. F. d['e]composition. Cf. Decomposition.] 1. The act or process of resolving the constituent parts of a compound body or substance into its elementary parts; separation into constituent part; analysis; the decay or dissolution consequent on the removal or alteration of some of the ingredients of a compound; disintegration; as, the decomposition of wood, rocks, etc. 2. The state of being reduced into original elements. 3. Repeated composition; a combination of compounds. [Obs.] Decomposition of forces. Same as Resolution of forces, under Resolution. Decomposition of light, the division of light into the prismatic colors.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

Decomposition is the process of decay that takes place when a living thing changes chemically after dying. (FORMAL)

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. 1. Analysis, resolution, disintegration. 2. Decay, corruption, putrescence, disintegration, crumbling, dissolution, rotting, falling to pieces.

Moby Thesaurus

ablation, atomization, biodegradability, biodegradation, breakup, caries, carrion, corrosion, corruption, crumbling, decay, degradability, degradation, dilapidation, disintegration, disjunction, disorganization, dissolution, dry rot, erosion, foulness, gangrene, incoherence, mildew, mold, mortification, necrosis, oxidation, oxidization, putrefaction, putrescence, putridity, putridness, rancidity, rancidness, rankness, ravages of time, resolution, rot, rottenness, rust, slough, sphacelation, sphacelus, spoilage, tooth decay, wear, wear and tear