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decomposition - 6 dictionary results

de⋅com⋅po⋅si⋅tion

  [dee-kom-puh-zish-uhn]
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–noun
1. the act or process of decomposing.
2. the state of being decomposed; decay.
Origin:
1650–60; prob. < F décomposition, deriv. of décomposer to decompose; see composition
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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de·com·po·si·tion   (dē-kŏm'pə-zĭsh'ən)   
n.  
  1. The act or result of decomposing; disintegration.
    1. Chemistry Separation into constituents by chemical reaction.
    2. Biology Breakdown or decay of organic materials.
de·com'po·si'tion·al adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Decomposition

De*com`po*si"tion\, n. [Pref. de- (in sense 3 intensive) + composition: cf. F. d['e]composition. Cf. Decomposition.]

1. The act or process of resolving the constituent parts of a compound body or substance into its elementary parts; separation into constituent part; analysis; the decay or dissolution consequent on the removal or alteration of some of the ingredients of a compound; disintegration; as, the decomposition of wood, rocks, etc.

2. The state of being reduced into original elements.

3. Repeated composition; a combination of compounds. [Obs.]

Decomposition of forces. Same as Resolution of forces, under Resolution.

Decomposition of light, the division of light into the prismatic colors.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Main Entry: de·com·po·si·tion
Pronunciation: (")dE-"käm-p&-'zish-&n
Function: noun
: the act or process ofdecomposing : the state of being decomposed: a : the separation or resolution (as of a substance) into constituent parts or elements or into simpler compounds<decomposition of mercuric oxide into mercury and oxygen> b : organic decay decomposition of a dead body>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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decomposition de·com·po·si·tion (dē-kŏm'pə-zĭsh'ən)
n.

  1. The act or result of decomposing; disintegration.
  2. Separation into constituents by chemical reaction.
  3. The breakdown or decay of organic materials; lysis.
de·com'po·si'tion·al adj.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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decomposition   (dē-kŏm'pə-zĭsh'ən)  Pronunciation Key 
  1. The separation of a substance into simpler substances or basic elements. Decomposition can be brought about by exposure to heat, light, or chemical or biological activity.
  2. The process of breaking down organic material, such as dead plant or animal tissue, into smaller molecules that are available for use by the organisms of an ecosystem. Decomposition is carried on by bacteria, fungi, protists, worms, and certain other organisms. See more at detritivore.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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