decadence

[ dek-uh-duhns, dih-keyd-ns ]
See synonyms for decadence on Thesaurus.com
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.

  1. unrestrained or excessive self-indulgence.

  2. (often initial capital letter) the decadent movement in literature.

Origin of decadence

1
First recorded in 1540–50; from Middle French, from Medieval Latin dēcadentia, from Late Latin dēcadent-, stem of dēcadēns “falling away” (present participle of dēcadere “to fall away,” from de- de- + cad(ere) “to fall”) + -ia -y3
  • Also dec·a·den·cy [dek-uh-duhn-see, dih-keyd-n-]. /ˈdɛk ə dən si, dɪˈkeɪd n-/.

Other words for decadence

Other words from decadence

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

Words Nearby decadence

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How to use decadence in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for decadence

decadence

decadency

/ (ˈdɛkədəns) /


noun
  1. deterioration, esp of morality or culture; decay; degeneration

  2. the state reached through such a process

Origin of decadence

1
C16: from French, from Medieval Latin dēcadentia, literally: a falling away; see decay

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