decay sb. (1 a common 16th c. use)
1.
downfall,
destruction, ruin
John IV. iii. 154
“The imminent of
wrested pomp,”
2H6 III. i. 194, R3 IV. iv. 410,
Lucr. 516
“thy life's ”
; also, cause of ruin
Sonn. lxxx. 14
“my love was my
decay.”
2.
a ruin (fig.)
Lr. V. ii. 299
“this great
decay.”
