decompose

Decompose is defined as to rot, to decay, to break down into parts or to disintegrate into the earth, or to cause something to break down or rot.

(verb)

When a dead body breaks down and eventually some of its parts disintegrate into the earth, this is an example of a time when the body decomposes.
When you cause something to rot or break down, this is an example of a time when you decompose the item.

See decompose in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb, intransitive verb decomposed, decomposing

Origin: Fr décomposer: see de- & compose

Related Forms:

See decompose in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb de·com·posed, de·com·pos·ing, de·com·pos·es

verb, transitive

verb, intransitive

Related Forms:

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