Decompose

4 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Decompose \De`com*pose"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Decomposed}; p.
     pr. & vb. n. {Decomposing}.] [Cf. F. d['e]composer. Cf.
     {Discompose}.]
     To separate the constituent parts of; to resolve into
     original elements; to set free from previously existing forms
     of chemical combination; to bring to dissolution; to rot or


     decay.
     [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Decompose \De`com*pose"\, v. i.
     To become resolved or returned from existing combinations; to
     undergo dissolution; to decay; to rot.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  decompose
       v 1: separate (substances) into constituent elements or parts
            [syn: {break up}, {break down}]
       2: lose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current; "the
          particles disintegrated during the nuclear fission
          process" [syn: {disintegrate}, {decay}]
       3: break down; "The bodies decomposed in the heat" [syn: {rot},
           {molder}, {moulder}]

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  53 Moby Thesaurus words for "decompose":
     ablate, anatomize, atomize, break down, break up, canker,
     come apart, consume, corrode, corrupt, crack up, crumble,
     crumble into dust, decay, deliquesce, disintegrate, disjoin,
     disorganize, dissect, dissolve, erode, fall into decay,
     fall to pieces, fester, fission, gangrene, go bad, go off,
     go to pieces, liquefy, melt, mildew, mold, molder, mortify,
     moulder, necrose, putrefy, putresce, rankle, resolve, rot,
     separate, sphacelate, split, spoil, suppurate, taint, take apart,
     turn, turn sour, waste away, wear away