ˈbɹeɪkdaʊn dɪˈkeɪ di.ˈkeɪ diːˌkɒmpəˈzɪʃən dɪs.ɪn.tɪˈɡɹeɪʃən ˌpjuːtɹəˈfækʃən ɹɒt ɹɔt the analysis of a vector field the organic phenomenon of rotting (biology) the process of decay caused by bacterial or fungal action (chemistry) separation of a substance into two or more substances that may differ from each other and from the original substance in a decomposed state