decomposev.
/diːkəmˈpəʊz/ 1. † d. Printing. To distribute (type that has been set up or composed). Obsolete.
a. transitive. To separate or resolve into its constituent parts or elements. (Of the separation of substances into their chemical elements, of light into its constituent colours; also of force or motion. Cf. decomposition n. 2.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separation or breaking up into constituent parts > separate into constituents [verb (transitive)]
resolvea1398
analyse1606
untwist1611
refract1646
disband1695
decomposea1751
decompounda1751
to break up1751
disintegrate1794
to break down1859
dissociate1869
factor1958
a1751 Visct. Bolingbroke Wks. (1754) III. 385 The chemist who has..decomposed a thousand natural, and composed as many artificial bodies.
1805 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 14 272 Attempts to decompose water by the Galvanic pile.
1831 D. Brewster Treat. Optics vii. §66. 72 We have therefore by absorption decomposed green light into yellow and blue.
c1860 M. Faraday Var. Forces Nature i. 28 I can decompose this marble and change it.
b. To disintegrate; to rot.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > cause bad condition in [verb (transitive)] > cause to decompose, crumble, or melt away
dissolvec1384
consume1585
break1597
moulder1603
moulter1636
discoagulatea1658
open1686
disintegrate1794
decompose1841
1841 W. Spalding Italy & Ital. Islands I. 19 The seasons decompose its cliffs.
c. figurative of immaterial things.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separation or breaking up into constituent parts > separate into constituents [verb (transitive)] > specific something immaterial
analyse1587
decompounda1751
decompose1796
1796 E. Burke Let. to Noble Lord in Wks. (1815) VIII. 61 Analytical legislators, and constitution-venders, are quite as busy in their trade of decomposing organization.
1816 W. Scott Antiquary I. i. 19 Were I compelled to decompose the motives of my worthy friend.
1846 J. S. Mill Syst. Logic (ed. 2) Introd. §7 I do not attempt to decompose the mental operations in question into their ultimate elements.
ΚΠ
1816 S. W. Singer Researches Hist. Playing Cards 153 Go and take out the pieces from the press, and decompose them.
2. intransitive (for reflexive). To suffer decomposition or disintegration; to break up; to decay, rot.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > dirtiness > corruption or putridness > become corrupt or putrid [verb (intransitive)]
forrota900
foulOE
rotOE
rank?a1300
corrumpc1374
to-rota1382
putrefya1400
mourkenc1400
corruptc1405
festerc1475
decay1574
rankle1612
tainta1616
decompose1793
wrox1847
the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > deteriorate in condition [verb (intransitive)] > decompose, crumble, or melt away
melteOE
fleetc1384
dissolvec1420
unbindc1450
loosec1480
moulder1531
mirtlec1540
mould1542
moulter1568
mutter1609
mosker1612
disband1633
dust1636
dissipatea1676
deliquesce1792
decompose1793
disintegrate1817
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separation or breaking up into constituent parts > undergo separation into constituents [verb (intransitive)]
resolvea1500
decompose1865
1793 T. Beddoes Observ. Nature & Cure Calculus 215 The mucus, contained in great quantities in the lungs, and which is continually decomposing.
1865 Sat. Rev. 11 Mar. 269/1 These broken armies decompose into bands of roving marauders.
1872 T. H. Huxley Lessons Elem. Physiol. (ed. 6) vii. 156 Such compounds as abound in the mineral world, or immediately decompose into them.
1894 N.E.D. at Decompose Mod. Soon after death the softer parts of organized bodies begin to decompose.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online September 2019).
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