decadence

[ dek-uh-duhns, dih-keyd-ns ]
/ ˈdɛk ə dəns, dɪˈkeɪd ns /

noun

the act or process of falling into an inferior condition or state; deterioration; decay: Some historians hold that the fall of Rome can be attributed to internal decadence.
moral degeneration or decay; turpitude.
unrestrained or excessive self-indulgence.
(often initial capital letter) the decadent movement in literature.
Also dec·a·den·cy [dek-uh-duhn-see, dih-keyd-n-] /ˈdɛk ə dən si, dɪˈkeɪd n-/.

Origin of decadence

1540–50; < Middle French < Medieval Latin dēcadentia, equivalent to Late Latin dēcadent- (stem of dēcadēns), present participle of dēcadere to fall away ( de- de- + cad(ere) to fall + -ent- -ent) + -ia noun suffix; see -ence

OTHER WORDS FROM decadence

non·dec·a·dence, noun non·dec·a·den·cy, noun o·ver·dec·a·dence, noun

Words nearby decadence

Example sentences from the Web for decadence

British Dictionary definitions for decadence

decadence

decadency

/ (ˈdɛkədəns) /

noun

deterioration, esp of morality or culture; decay; degeneration
the state reached through such a process

Word Origin for decadence

C16: from French, from Medieval Latin dēcadentia, literally: a falling away; see decay