decaying
朽ちていく
解説 Definition
decaying は decay（朽ちる、腐敗する）の現在分詞で、朽ちていく、腐敗しているという意味です。建物・植物・物質などが時間とともに傷んでいく状態を表します。
Decaying is the present participle of “decay” and describes something gradually decomposing, rotting, or losing its sound condition over time. It is used of organic matter such as leaves and wood, as well as neglected buildings and other deteriorating structures.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
原形 decay「朽ちる・腐敗する」に -ing を付けた現在分詞です。decay は語末が子音字 y なので y を変えず、そのまま decaying とします。発音は /dɪˈkeɪɪŋ/ で、decay の /eɪ/ と -ing の母音が続きます。decaying wood、decaying leaves のように、時間とともに崩れていく物に結び付けましょう。
Start with the base verb decay, meaning to rot, decompose, or gradually deteriorate. To form decaying, simply add -ing; because decay ends in the consonant letter y, the y stays unchanged. The pronunciation keeps the final /eɪ/ of decay before the -ing ending: /dɪˈkeɪɪŋ/. Picture a slow process rather than sudden destruction. Useful combinations include decaying leaves, decaying wood, a decaying building, and slowly decaying. The form can be part of a continuous verb or can modify a noun.
例文
The old wooden bridge is decaying slowly.
その古い木の橋はゆっくりと朽ちていっています。
We found decaying leaves under the tree.
木の下で朽ちかけた葉を見つけました。
The decaying house was unsafe to enter.
その朽ちていく家は、中に入るには危険でした。
decaying の類義語・関連語
紛らわしい語
decaying の語源・成り立ち Etymology
ラテン語 de-（下へ）+ cadere（落ちる）が古フランス語 decair を経て英語に。「下に落ちる→崩れる→朽ちる」という意味変化。同根語に decadence（退廃）、cadence（拍子＝音が落ちるリズム）がある。
Decaying is formed regularly from decay plus the participial suffix -ing. Decay entered English through Old French forms related to decair, ultimately from Late Latin decadere, built from de-, conveying downward or away, and cadere, “to fall.” The historical development runs from the idea of falling down or declining to physical deterioration, decomposition, and rot. Related learned words include decadence and cadence, both ultimately involving the Latin root for falling.
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