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  2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Decomposition  \De*com`po*si"tion\,  n.  [Pref.  de-  (in  sense  3 
  intensive)  +  composition:  cf  F.  d['e]composition.  Cf 
  {Decomposition}.] 
  1.  The  act  or  process  of  resolving  the  constituent  parts  of  a 
  compound  body  or  substance  into  its  elementary  parts 
  separation  into  constituent  part  analysis;  the  decay  or 
  dissolution  consequent  on  the  removal  or  alteration  of 
  some  of  the  ingredients  of  a  compound;  disintegration;  as 
  the  decomposition  of  wood,  rocks,  etc 
 
  2.  The  state  of  being  reduced  into  original  elements. 
 
  3.  Repeated  composition;  a  combination  of  compounds.  [Obs.] 
 
  {Decomposition  of  forces}.  Same  as  {Resolution  of  forces}, 
  under  {Resolution}. 
 
  {Decomposition  of  light},  the  division  of  light  into  the 
  prismatic  colors. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  decomposition 
  n  1:  the  analysis  of  a  vector  field  [syn:  {vector  decomposition}] 
  2:  in  a  decomposed  state  [syn:  {disintegration}] 
  3:  decaying  caused  by  bacterial  or  fungal  action  [syn:  {rot},  {rotting}, 
  {putrefaction}] 
  4:  the  organic  phenomenon  of  rotting  [syn:  {decay}] 

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