decayer
Something that rots
Something that decays or causes decay.
The word is rare, appearing mostly in technical or poetic contexts: Time is the great decayer of all things.
In biology, decayers are organisms—fungi, bacteria, insects—that break down dead organic matter.
Organism breaking down corpses
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
- moldForm-giving container
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- earthwormsSoil-dwelling segmented invertebrates
detritivores · microorganisms · mycelium · scavengers · maggots · carrion · putrefaction · biodegradation
Chemical wearing away
- erosionGradual wearing away
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
- disintegrationProcess of breaking apart
- crumblingBreaking down gradually
oxidation · rusting · wear · atrophy · wasting · weathering · degradation · spoilage
Elemental variant by mass
- half-lifePeriod for fifty-percent reduction
- radioactiveEmitting nuclear decay particles
- nucleusCentral controlling part
- alphaFirst Greek letter
beta · gamma · fission · transmutation · uranium · thorium · plutonium · radon
Gradual functional decline with age
- gerontologyScientific study of senescence
- elderlyAdvanced in age
- osteoporosisDisease weakening skeletal structure
- dementiaChronic cognitive impairment
Alzheimer's · presbyopia · graying · sagging · arthritis · wrinkles · atrophy · degeneration
decomposer
Organism breaking down corpses
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
- moldForm-giving container
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
earthworms · detritivores · microorganisms · mycelium · scavengers · maggots · carrion · putrefaction · biodegradation · compost
corrosion
Chemical wearing away
- erosionGradual wearing away
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
- disintegrationProcess of breaking apart
crumbling · oxidation · rusting · wear · atrophy · wasting · weathering · degradation · spoilage · blight
isotope
Elemental variant by mass
- half-lifePeriod for fifty-percent reduction
- radioactiveEmitting nuclear decay particles
- nucleusCentral controlling part
alpha · beta · gamma · fission · transmutation · uranium · thorium · plutonium · radon · particle
senescence
Gradual functional decline with age
- gerontologyScientific study of senescence
- elderlyAdvanced in age
- osteoporosisDisease weakening skeletal structure
dementia · Alzheimer's · presbyopia · graying · sagging · arthritis · wrinkles · atrophy · degeneration · frailty
decayerpreserver
One that maintains or saves
preservative · conservator · protector · maintainer · embalmer
decayerregenerator
Device that renews
renewer · restorer · builder · creator · constructor
- tooth decayProgressive dental deterioration
- organic decayBiological material breaking down
- moral decayDecline in ethical standards
- urban decayCity infrastructure deterioration
- radioactive decayUnstable atoms releasing energy
- exponential decayProportional decrease over time
decay, decayed, decaying, decays, radioactive decay, decayable, decayers, decayless, undecayed