decompose

• POS: Verb (usu participle)
• HYPHEN: de=com=pose

OXFORD DICTIONARY

decompose, v.
1 intr. decay, rot.
2 tr. separate (a substance, light, etc.) into its elements or simpler constituents.
3 intr. disintegrate; break up.

Derivative

decomposition n.

Etymology

F d{eacute}composer (as DE-, COMPOSE)

THESAURUS

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

ROGET THESAURUS

decompose

Decomposition

VB decompose, decompound, analyze, disembody, dissolve, resolve into its elements, separate into its elements, electrolyze, dissect, decentralize, break up, disperse, unravel, crumble into dust.