decay

decay definition - medical

de·cay (dĭ-kāˈ)

noun
  1. The destruction or decomposition of organic matter as a result of bacterial or fungal action; rot.
  2. Dental caries.
  3. The loss of information that was registered by the senses and processed into the short-term memory system.
  4. Radioactive decay.
verb
  1. To break down into component parts; rot.
  2. To disintegrate or diminish by radioactive decay.
  3. To decline in health or vigor; waste away.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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