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“decompose”
decompose (verb), decomposes; decomposed; decomposing
1. To separate into constituent components, or to cause something to separate into its constituent components: In the science laboratory, the students attempted to decompose the odd mixture in the test tubes.
2. To break down organic matter from a complex to a simpler form, mainly through the action of fungi and bacteria, or to be broken down in this way: Once Jack places vegetation in the compost pile, it starts to decompose and to decay.
3. To break something down into smaller or simpler fragments: The organic waste in the composter will decompose over the winter and be mixed into the garden in the spring.
2. To break down organic matter from a complex to a simpler form, mainly through the action of fungi and bacteria, or to be broken down in this way: Once Jack places vegetation in the compost pile, it starts to decompose and to decay.
3. To break something down into smaller or simpler fragments: The organic waste in the composter will decompose over the winter and be mixed into the garden in the spring.
decompose, discompose
decompose (dee" kuhm POHZ) (verb)
1. To undergo a chemical change resulting in rot or decay: Jason put the vegetable trimmings in the garden to decompose and fertilize the soil.
2. To cause something; such as, dead plants and the bodies of dead animals, to be slowly destroyed and broken down by natural processes, chemicals, etc.: Bacteria and fungi help to decompose organic matter.
2. To cause something; such as, dead plants and the bodies of dead animals, to be slowly destroyed and broken down by natural processes, chemicals, etc.: Bacteria and fungi help to decompose organic matter.
discompose (dis" kuhm POHZ) (verb)
To make someone lose his or her usual state of calm; to agitate or to unsettle and so to put into a state of disorder: The bad news about Olivia's mother could only discompose or upset us.
A visitor observed Beethoven seated at the piano earnestly erasing the notes from a score in front of him. As the man approached, Beethoven exclaimed, "Please, don’t interrupt me because I’m trying to decompose."
When Emily went for a hike earlier today, she discovered a human body which had been left to decompose under a tree. Seeing these bodily remains caused her to discompose and so she went straight to the police to tell them what she found.
This entry is located in the following unit:
Confusing Words Clarified: Group D; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, Polysemes, etc. +
(page 2)