v. de·com·posed, de·com·pos·ing, de·com·pos·es v.tr. 1. To separate into components or basic elements. 2. To cause to rot. v.intr. 1. To become broken down into components; disintegrate. 2. To decay; rot or putrefy. See Synonyms at decay. de′com·pos′a·bili·ty n. de′com·posa·ble adj. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.