decomposingadj.
That decomposes; usually intransitive undergoing decomposition, in process of organic decay.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > dirtiness > corruption or putridness > [adjective] > corrupt or putrid
rottingeOE
foulOE
rotted?c1225
rottena1250
corruptc1380
putrefieda1413
putrid?a1425
ranka1425
rottenly1435
pourryc1450
moskin1531
corrupped1533
corrupting1567
attainted1573
rot1573
putrefacted1574
baggage1576
tainted1577
pury1602
putrefactious1609
putrefactive1610
taint1620
putrescent1624
festerous1628
putid1660
scandalous1676
rottenish1691
putrefying1746–7
septic1746
corrupted1807
decomposing1833
decomposed1846
seething1875
the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > [adjective] > decomposed > decomposing, crumbling, or melting away
moultering1568
mouldering1599
dissolving1686
deliquescent1792
murling1827
decomposing1833
disintegrating1872
moulding1907
1833 C. Thirlwall in Philol. Museum 2 546 The decomposing hand has grown tired of its work.
1862 D. T. Ansted & R. G. Latham Channel Islands ii. x. 263 Veins of soft clay and some of decomposing greenstone.
1870 H. Macmillan Bible Teachings viii. 153 These plants die, and form by their decomposing remains a rich and fertile mould.
Compounds
decomposing furnace n. ‘a chemical furnace, used in the soda industry in decomposing chloride of sodium with sulphuric acid’ (Knight).
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > furnace or kiln > furnace > [noun] > other furnaces
retort furnace1688
stew1688
reheating furnace1818
reheating oven1839
water oven1848
Siemens producer1866
decomposing furnace1876
reheat furnace1931
exfoliator1944
1876 Sci. Amer. Suppl. 305 Decomposing furnace.
decomposing man n. (see quot. 1921).
ΚΠ
1881 Instr. Census Clerks (1885) 60 Alkali Manufacture... Decomposing Man.
1921 Dict. Occup. Terms (1927) §143 Deacon plant man,..decomposing man; a process man who makes chlorine gas by acidising hydrochloric acid gas.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.1833