decay

Where does the word "decay" come from? It comes from Vulgar Latin decadere, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

Decay’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: decadere meant “to fall down, to deteriorate.” To fall down, to deteriorate, from de- (down) and cadere (to fall). By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as decair. Carried into French for gradually falling into ruin. It reached English by 1400s as decay. Settled as the English word for gradual decomposition or deterioration. Today, decay means the gradual decomposition or deterioration of something.

1. Stage 1 · Vulgar Latin · medieval decadere "to fall down, to deteriorate", to fall down, to deteriorate, from de- (down) and cadere (to fall).
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval decair "to gradually fall into ruin", carried into French for gradually falling into ruin.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s decay "gradual decomposition or deterioration", settled as the English word for gradual decomposition or deterioration.