decompose — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To separate or break down (something) into its components.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   disintegratefragment

   Antonyms

   composeassemblerecompose

   Examples

   Various fungi can decompose wood.

   Our team decomposed this task into several subtasks that could be successfully distributed.

2. To rot, decay or putrefy.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Synonyms

   break down

   Examples

   Plastics can take centuries to decompose.

   More examples (1)

   Nor had the post mortem on Newson's body revealed any illness or other physical condition that might have prevented him from applying the brake, although after four days in the oven-like heat of the wreckage, the body was so badly decomposed as to make any reliable post mortem results unlikely.

Verb

1. separate (substances) into constituent elements or parts

   Synonyms

   break upbreak down

   Broader terms

   separate

2. lose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current

   Synonyms

   disintegratedecay

   Broader terms

   change integrity

   Examples

   the particles disintegrated during the nuclear fission process

3. break down

   Synonyms

   rotmoldermoulder

   Broader terms

   decay

   Examples

   The bodies decomposed in the heat