Decadence

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈdÉ›kÉ™dÉ™ns/

Origin

From French décadence, from Medieval Latin decadentia ("decay"), from *decadens ("decaying"), present participle of *decadere ("to decay"); see decay.

Full definition of decadence

Noun

1. A state of moral or artistic decline or deterioration; decay
• 1956 — Arthur C. Clarke, The City and the Stars, p 35"Stability, however, is not enough. It leads too easily to stagnation, and thence to decadence."

Related terms

• decadent
• decay