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radioactive decay

 - 7 dictionary results

de⋅cay

  [di-key]
–verb (used without object)
1. to become decomposed; rot: vegetation that was decaying.
2. to decline in excellence, prosperity, health, etc.; deteriorate.
3. Physics. (of a radioactive nucleus) to change spontaneously into one or more different nuclei in a process in which atomic particles, as alpha particles, are emitted from the nucleus, electrons are captured or lost, or fission takes place.
–verb (used with object)
4. to cause to decay or decompose; rot: The dampness of the climate decayed the books.
–noun
5. decomposition; rot: Decay made the wood unsuitable for use.
6. a gradual falling into an inferior condition; progressive decline: the decay of international relations; the decay of the Aztec civilizations.
7. decline in or loss of strength, health, intellect, etc.: His mental decay is distressing.
8. Also called disintegration, radioactive decay. Physics. a radioactive process in which a nucleus undergoes spontaneous transformation into one or more different nuclei and simultaneously emits radiation, loses electrons, or undergoes fission.
9. Aerospace. the progressive, accelerating reduction in orbital parameters, particularly apogee and perigee, of a spacecraft due to atmospheric drag.
Origin:
1425–75; (v.) late ME decayen < ONF decair, equiv. to de- de- + cair to fall < VL *cadēre, for L cadere; (n.) late ME, deriv. of the v.

Related forms:
de⋅cay⋅a⋅ble, adjective
de⋅cayed⋅ness  [di-keyd-nis, -key-id-] , adjective
de⋅cay⋅less, adjective

Synonyms:
1. degenerate, wither; putrefy. Decay, decompose, disintegrate, rot imply a deterioration or falling away from a sound condition. Decay implies either entire or partial deterioration by progressive natural changes: Teeth decay. Decompose suggests the reducing of a substance to its component elements: Moisture makes some chemical compounds decompose. Disintegrate emphasizes the breaking up, going to pieces, or wearing away of anything, so that its original wholeness is impaired: Rocks disintegrate. Rot is a stronger word than decay and is esp. applied to decaying vegetable matter, which may or may not emit offensive odors: Potatoes rot. 5. putrefaction. 7. deterioration, decadence, impairment, dilapidation, degeneration.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To radioactive decay
radioactive decay  
n.  

  1. Spontaneous disintegration of a radionuclide accompanied by the emission of ionizing radiation in the form of alpha or beta particles or gamma rays.

  2. An instance of such disintegration.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 2decay
Function: noun
1 a : ROT; 1 specifically : aerobic decomposition of proteins chiefly by bacteria b : the product of decay
2 a : spontaneous decrease in the number of radioactive atoms in radioactivematerial b : spontaneous disintegration (as of an atom or a nuclear particle)
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

decay de·cay (dĭ-kā')
n.

  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.

v. de·cayed, de·cay·ing, de·cays

  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® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
decay   (dĭ-kā')  Pronunciation Key 
Noun  

  1. The breaking down or rotting of organic matter through the action of bacteria, fungi, or other organisms; decomposition.

  2. The spontaneous transformation of a relatively unstable particle into a set of new particles. For example, a pion decays spontaneously into a muon and an antineutrino. The decay of heavy or unstable atomic nuclei (such as uranium or carbon-10) into more stable nuclei and emitted particles is called radioactive decay. The study of particle decay is fundamental to subatomic physics. See more at fundamental force, radioactive decay.


Verb   To undergo decay.
radioactive decay   (rā'dē-ō-āk'tĭv)  Pronunciation Key 
The spontaneous transformation of an unstable atomic nucleus into a lighter one, in which radiation is released in the form of alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, and other particles. The rate of decay of radioactive substances such as carbon 14 or uranium is measured in terms of their half-life. See also decay, radioisotope.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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