undecomposable

[dee-kuhm-pohz]

Origin

verb (used with object)

to separate or resolve into constituent parts or elements; disintegrate: The bacteria decomposed the milk into its solid and liquid elements.

verb (used without object)

to rot; putrefy: The egg began to decompose after a day in the sun.

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Undecomposable is always a great word to know.

So is quincunx. Does it mean:

an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle.

a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal.

Origin:
1745–55; < French décomposer, equivalent to dé- dis-¹ + composer to compose

Related forms

de·com·pos·a·ble, adjective

de·com·pos·a·bil·i·ty, noun

un·de·com·pos·a·ble, adjective

Synonyms
1. distill, fractionate, analyze. 2. See decay.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

decompose

1762, from de- + compose. Sense of "putrefy" is first recorded 1777.

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de·com·pose