Decay vs. Rust
Difference Between Decay and Rust
Decaynoun
The process or result of being gradually decomposed.
Rustnoun
The deteriorated state of iron or steel as a result of moisture and oxidation.
The rust on my bicycle chain made cycling to work very dangerous.Decaynoun
A deterioration of condition; loss of status or fortune.
Rustnoun
A similar substance based on another metal (usually with qualification, such as "copper rust").
aerugo. Green or blue-green copper rust; verdigris. (American Heritage Dictionary, 1973)Decayverb
(intransitive) To deteriorate, to get worse, to lose strength or health, to decline in quality.
The pair loved to take pictures in the decaying hospital on forty-third street.Rustnoun
A reddish-brown color.
Decayverb
To undergo bit rot, that is, gradual degradation.
Rustnoun
A disease of plants caused by a reddish-brown fungus.
Decayverb
To undergo software rot, that is, to fail to be updated in a changing environment, so as to eventually become legacy or obsolete.
Rustverb
(intransitive) To oxidize, especially of iron or steel.
The patio furniture had rusted in the wind-driven spray.Decayverb
To undergo prolonged reduction in altitude (above the orbited body).
2009, Francis Lyall, Paul B. Larsen, Space Law: A Treatise, page 120:Rustverb
(transitive) To cause to oxidize.
The wind-driven spray had thoroughly rusted the patio furniture.Decayverb
To rot, to go bad.
The cat's body decayed rapidly.Rustverb
(intransitive) To be affected with the parasitic fungus called rust.
Decayverb
To change by undergoing fission, by emitting radiation, or by capturing or losing one or more electrons.
Rustverb
To (cause to) degenerate in idleness; to make or become dull or impaired by inaction.
Decayverb
To undergo optical decay, that is, to relax to a less excited state, usually by emitting a photon or phonon.
Rustnoun
a red or brown oxide coating on iron or steel caused by the action of oxygen and moisture
Decayverb
Loss of airspeed due to drag.
Rustnoun
a reddish-brown discoloration of leaves and stems caused by a rust fungus
Decayverb
(transitive) To cause to rot or deteriorate.
The extreme humidity decayed the wooden sculptures in the museum's collection in a matter of years.Rustnoun
the formation of reddish-brown ferric oxides on iron by low-temperature oxidation in the presence of water
Decaynoun
the process of gradually becoming inferior
Rustnoun
any of various fungi causing rust disease in plants
Decaynoun
a gradual decrease; as of stored charge or current
Rustverb
become destroyed by water, air, or an etching chemical such as an acid;
The metal corrodedThe pipes rustedDecaynoun
the organic phenomenon of rotting
Rustverb
cause to deteriorate due to the action of water, air, or an acid;
The acid corroded the metalThe steady dripping of water rusted the metal stopper in the sinkDecaynoun
an inferior state resulting from the process of decaying;
the corpse was in an advanced state of decaythe house had fallen into a serious state of decay and disrepairRustverb
become coated with oxide
Decaynoun
the spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance along with the emission of ionizing radiation
Rustadjective
of the color of rust
Decayverb
lose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current;
the particles disintegrated during the nuclear fission processDecayverb
fall into decay or ruin;
The unoccupied house started to decayDecayverb
undergo decay or decomposition;
The body started to decay and needed to be cremated
