decadency
ə 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.
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
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
Related forms
non·dec·a·dence, noun
non·dec·a·den·cy, noun
o·ver·dec·a·dence, noun
Synonyms
1. degeneration, retrogression, decline.
1. degeneration, retrogression, decline.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To decadency
00:10
Decadency
is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
decadence or decadency (ˈdɛkədəns) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —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 | |
| decadency or decadency | |
| —n | |
| [C16: from French, from Medieval Latin dēcadentia, literally: a falling away; see | |
| decadence or decadency (ˈdɛkədəns) | |
| —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 | |
| decadency or decadency | |
| —n | |
| [C16: from French, from Medieval Latin dēcadentia, literally: a falling away; see | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
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
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
Nearby Words
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
