🇩🇪German Source WordCode: DE

Zersetzung

Pronunciation / Transliteration: tser-zet-soong

🇬🇧 Direct English Meaning:
Decay/dɪˈkeɪ/
verbnounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #4500 frequency
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🇩🇪 Example Sentence in German:

"Die Zersetzung von Lebensmitteln kann durch Kühlung verlangsamt werden."

Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As verb
  1. 1

    To undergo decomposition or rotting, especially due to the action of bacteria or fungi.

    "The fruit began to decay after being left out for too long."
As noun
  1. 1

    The process of rotting or decomposing.

    "The decay of the old building was evident in its crumbling walls."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the Old French word 'decair', which comes from the Late Latin 'decadere', combining 'de-' (down) and 'cadere' (to fall). It entered the English language in the late 14th century, initially signifying a falling away, decline, or physical deterioration.

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