decay

Decay refers to the process where something gradually breaks down, weakens, or diminishes over time. In nature, it often describes how organic materials like plants and animals decompose, returning nutrients to the environment. In other contexts, decay can relate to aging, deterioration of materials, or loss of strength and quality. It highlights the natural tendency for things to lose their original state or value as time passes, driven by factors like physical, chemical, or biological processes. Essentially, decay is the gradual decline or disintegration inherent in many systems and substances.