decompose

/ˌdē-kəm-ˈpōz/

French décomposer, from dé- de + composer to compose

verb

  1. to separate into constituent parts or elements or into simpler compounds

  2. rot

  3. to break up into constituent parts by or as if by a chemical process : decay, rot

decompose water by electrolysis

decay decompose rot putrefy spoil mean to undergo destructive dissolution. decay implies a slow change from a state of soundness or perfection. decompose stresses a breaking down by chemical change and when applied to organic matter a corruption.