dec·a·dence

[dek-uh-duhns, dih-keyd-ns]
noun
1.
the act or process of falling into an inferior condition or state; deterioration; decay: Some historians hold that the fall of Rome can be attributed to internal decadence.
2.
moral degeneration or decay; turpitude.
3.
unrestrained or excessive self-indulgence.
4.
(often initial capital letter) the decadent movement in literature.
Also, dec·a·den·cy [dek-uh-duhn-see, dih-keyd-n-] .


Origin:
1540–50; < Middle French < Medieval Latin dēcadentia, equivalent to Late Latin dēcadent- (stem of dēcadēns), present participle of dēcadere to fall away (de- de- +cad(ere) to fall + -ent- -ent) + -ia noun suffix; see -ence

non·dec·a·dence, noun
non·dec·a·den·cy, noun
o·ver·dec·a·dence, noun


1. degeneration, retrogression, decline.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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World English Dictionary
decadence or decadency (ˈdɛkədəns) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n
1.  deterioration, esp of morality or culture; decay; degeneration
2.  the state reached through such a process
 
[C16: from French, from Medieval Latin dēcadentia, literally: a falling away; see decay]
 
decadency or decadency
 
n
 
[C16: from French, from Medieval Latin dēcadentia, literally: a falling away; see decay]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

decadence
1540s, from M.Fr. decadence (early 15c.), from M.L. decadentia "decay," from decadentem (nom. decadens) "decaying," prp. of decadere "to decay," from L. de- "apart, down" + cadere "to fall" (see case (1)). Used of periods in art since 1852, on French model.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia

decadence

a period of decline or deterioration of art or literature that follows an era of great achievement. Examples include the Silver Age of Latin literature, which began about AD 18 following the end of the Golden Age, and the Decadent movement at the end of the 19th century in France and England.

Learn more about decadence with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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Example sentences
The decadence of family authority and coherence due to this cause is
  indubitable.
The casino's leading opponents are less concerned with elegance than decadence.
But the luxury, decadence, and relentless beauty of the island prove too much
  to handle.
The sign's of a long and inexorable decadence are quite clear.
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