51Թ

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View synonyms for

decompose

[ dee-kuhm-pohz ]

verb (used with object)

decomposed, decomposing.
  1. to separate or resolve into constituent parts or elements; disintegrate:

    The bacteria decomposed the milk into its solid and liquid elements.

    Synonyms: , ,



verb (used without object)

decomposed, decomposing.
  1. to rot; putrefy:

    The egg began to decompose after a day in the sun.

decompose

/ ˌdiːkəmˈpəʊz; ˌdiːkɒmpəˈzɪʃən /

verb

  1. to break down (organic matter) or (of organic matter) to be broken down physically and chemically by bacterial or fungal action; rot
  2. chem to break down or cause to break down into simpler chemical compounds
  3. to break up or separate into constituent parts
  4. tr maths to express in terms of a number of independent simpler components, as a set as a canonical union of disjoint subsets, or a vector into orthogonal components
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˌ𳦴dzˌDzˈٲ, noun
  • decomposition, noun
  • ˌ𳦴dzˈDz, adjective
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • cdz·Dza· adjective
  • cdz·Dza·i·ٲ noun
  • ܲd·dz·Dza· adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of decompose1

1745–55; < French édzDz, equivalent to é- dis- 1 + composer to compose
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Synonym Study

See decay.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The shells serve a dual purpose — one that is functional, as they decompose to improve the soil quality, and another formal, reflecting moonlight in the evening.

From

During a search of her property, one police officer said they could smell a decomposing body, said Mr Fisher.

From

D A network of bicycle and walking paths – made of pavement or decomposed granite – can give firefighters a line of defense.

From

These are intended to simulate how solid waste could release chemicals inside the landfill as it’s exposed to leachate — liquid waste from rainfall or decomposing garbage.

From

Both bodies showed signs that they had fallen down abruptly and were partially decomposed, with bloating in the face and mummification in the hands and feet.

From

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