De*cay", n. 1. Gradual failure of health, strength, soundness, prosperity, or of any species of excellence or perfection; tendency toward dissolution or extinction; corruption; rottenness; decline; deterioration; as, the decay of the body; the decay of virtue; the decay of the Roman empire; a castle in decay.
Perhaps my God, though he be far before,
May turn, and take me by the hand, and more -
May strengthen my decays.
Herbert.
His [Johnson's] failure was not to be ascribed to intellectual decay.
Macaulay.
Which has caused the decay of the consonants to follow somewhat different laws.
James Byrne.