/ English Dictionary |
DECOMPOSITION
Pronunciation (US): | (GB): |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
The analysis of a vector field
Synonyms:
decomposition; vector decomposition
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Hypernyms ("decomposition" is a kind of...):
vector algebra (the part of algebra that deals with the theory of vectors and vector spaces)
Sense 2
Meaning:
The organic phenomenon of rotting
Synonyms:
decay; decomposition
Classified under:
Nouns denoting natural phenomena
Hypernyms ("decomposition" is a kind of...):
organic phenomenon ((biology) a natural phenomenon involving living plants and animals)
Derivation:
decompose (break down)
decompositional (causing organic decay)
Sense 3
Meaning:
(biology) the process of decay caused by bacterial or fungal action
Synonyms:
breakdown; decomposition; putrefaction; rot; rotting
Classified under:
Nouns denoting natural processes
Hypernyms ("decomposition" is a kind of...):
decay (the process of gradually becoming inferior)
Domain category:
biological science; biology (the science that studies living organisms)
Derivation:
decompose (break down)
Sense 4
Meaning:
(chemistry) separation of a substance into two or more substances that may differ from each other and from the original substance
Synonyms:
chemical decomposition reaction; decomposition; decomposition reaction
Classified under:
Nouns denoting natural processes
Hypernyms ("decomposition" is a kind of...):
chemical reaction; reaction ((chemistry) a process in which one or more substances are changed into others)
Domain category:
chemical science; chemistry (the science of matter; the branch of the natural sciences dealing with the composition of substances and their properties and reactions)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "decomposition"):
electrolysis ((chemistry) a chemical decomposition reaction produced by passing an electric current through a solution containing ions)
Derivation:
decompose (separate (substances) into constituent elements or parts)
Sense 5
Meaning:
Synonyms:
decomposition; disintegration
Classified under:
Nouns denoting stable states of affairs
Hypernyms ("decomposition" is a kind of...):
decay (an inferior state resulting from the process of decaying)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "decomposition"):
fragmentation (the disintegration of social norms governing behavior and thought and social relationships)
Context examples:
A yellow, oily liquid nitrosamine that solidifies at cold temperatures and emits toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides when heated to decomposition.
(Nitrosonornicotine, NCI Thesaurus)
A yellow, liquid nitrosamine that rapidly degrades in the presence of light and emits toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides when heated to decomposition.
(Nitrosodipropylamine, NCI Thesaurus)
A colorless, oily, highly flammable liquid with a strong, disagreeable odor that emits toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides upon decomposition.
(Nitromethane, NCI Thesaurus)
A greenish, crystalline compound with a faint amine smell and emits toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides when heated to decomposition.
(Ethylene Thiourea, NCI Thesaurus)
A clear, colorless liquid with an aromatic odor that emits toxic fumes of phosphorous oxides and nitrogen oxides when heated to decomposition.
(Hexamethylphosphoramide, NCI Thesaurus)
Issues associated with a discoloration or destruction as a result of thermal decomposition of the device or its components.
(Burned Medical Device or Device Component, Food and Drug Administration)
This substance is irritating to eyes and mucous membranes and emits toxic vapors of hydrochloric acid and other chlorinated compounds when heated to decomposition.
(Bis(chloromethyl) Ether, NCI Thesaurus)
A colorless, sand-like powder that emits toxic fumes of phosgene gas, hydrochloric acid and other chlorinated compounds when heated to decomposition. b-Hexachlorocyclohexane is the beta-isomer of hexachlorocyclohexane and is used as an insecticide.
(b-Hexachlorocyclohexane, NCI Thesaurus)
Researchers note that the new carbon storage is not forever, since future warming will likely start re-thawing some of the permafrost and release some of the carbon in it via microbial decomposition.
(Certain Arctic lakes store more greenhouse gases than they release, NSF)
A volatile and flammable, clear, colorless, liquid, chlorinated cyclic ether with an irritating, chloroform-like odor that emits toxic fumes of hydrochloric acid and other chlorinated compounds when heated to decomposition.
(Epichlorohydrin, NCI Thesaurus)