Verb: decompose ,dee-kum'powz
- Break down or decay through natural processes
"The bodies decomposed in the heat";
- rot, molder [N. Amer], moulder [Brit, Cdn]
- (chemistry) separate (substances) into constituent elements or parts
"The enzyme decomposes the complex molecule";
- break up, break down
- (physics) lose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current
"the particles decomposed during the nuclear fission process";
- disintegrate, decay
Derived forms: decomposed, decomposing, decomposes
Type of: change integrity, decay, separate
Encyclopedia: Decompose