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decomposition
(redirected from decompose)

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
decomposition /de·com·po·si·tion/ (de-kom″pah-zish´un) the separation of compound bodies into their constituent principles.
de·com·po·si·tion (d-kmp-zshn)
n.
1. The act or result of decomposing; disintegration.
2. Separation into constituents by chemical reaction.
3. The breakdown or decay of organic materials; lysis.

de·compo·sition·al adj.

decomposition
[dē′kəmpəsish′ən]
Etymology: L, de + componere, to put together
the breakdown of a substance into simpler chemical forms. decompose, v.

decomposition [de-kom″po-zish´un]
1. the separation of compound bodies into their constituent principles.
2. deterioration or decay of a substance.

decomposition
1. biologically speaking, the separation of compound bodies into their constituent principles; the natural process of biodegradation of animal and plant materials. Its occurrence in human and animal foods is a constant threat and preventing it is the prime objective of the food hygienist.
2. statistically speaking, the removal of accountable influences on a set of data so that only variation due to random error remains.


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