113. Decaying

atrophy

degeneration as the result of disuse, malnutrition, etc.

biodegradability

disposition to disintegrate as the result of natural processes. — biodegradable, adj.

caducity

the condition of being perishable. —caducous , adj.

cariosity

the condition of being decayed or carious, especially with regard to teeth.

catabolism

the destructive process of metabolism in which living matter is turned into waste. —catabolic , adj.

cataclasm

a breaking down; disruption. —cataclasmic , n.

catalysis

Rare. the process of decay or deterioration. See also 74. CHANGE .

cataplasia

degeneration of cells or tissues. —cataplastic, adj.

cataplasis

the stage of decline in organic development.

cytolysis

the degeneration of cells. —cytolytic , adj.

degradability

the state or quality of being susceptible to breakdown or decomposition. —degradable, adj.

deteriorism

the belief that the universe is gradually breaking down. See also meliorism .

fugacity

the condition of being fugacious or transitory; evanescence. —fugacious , adj.

geratology

the branch of biology that studies aging and its phenomena. Also gereology . —geratologic , geratologous, adj.

histolysis

the disintegration or dissolution of organic tissues. —histolytic, adj.

labefaction, labefactation

the process of coming apart, especially falling into ruin or decay.

lysis

the decomposition of cells by antibodies called lysins.

myoatrophy

atrophy or wasting away of the muscles.

necrosis

the death or decay of body tissue, the result of loss of blood supply or trauma. —necrotic , adj.

pejoration

depreciation, loss, or diminution in value, quality, etc.

photolysis

the breakdown of matter or materials under the influence of light. —photolytic , adj.

putrescence

1. the state or process of rotting or putrefying.

2. rotting or putrefying matter. —putrescent , adj.

symptosis

a gradual wasting away of the body or of any organ or part of the body.

syntexis

the wasting of the body, as in consumption. —syntectic , syntectical, adj.

tabescence

1. the process of emaciation or wasting of the body.

2. the condition of being wasted or in decay, especially as a gradual process. —tabescent , adj.

tabitude

the state of being affected by tabes, i.e., gradual wasting or decay.