frequently_asked_questions_files/Oxford Thesaurus.pdf

a steady decline in the value of the pound. 7 degeneration,
deterioration, loss, diminution, weakening, debility, weakness,
worsening, decay, failing: We noted a decline in the physical
condition of those living nearby. 8 declivity, (downward) slope
or slant, descent, downgrade, incline: The path led down a
steep decline towards the pond.
decompose v. 1 disintegrate, separate, fall or come apart, break up or
down, take apart, dissect, anatomize, atomize, resolve,
decompound, analyse: By absorption the scientists decomposed
the green light into yellow and blue. 2 rot, disintegrate,
decay, moulder, putrefy; spoil, go off or bad, turn sour: The
meat will decompose if it is left outside the fridge.
decorate v. 1 embellish, adorn, ornament, garnish, embroider, elaborate,
bedeck, deck (out), trim, dress (up), spruce or smarten up,
beautify, Literary caparison, Colloq Brit tart up: We decorated
the pub for the Christmas holidays. 2 Brit paint, wallpaper,
redecorate, furbish, refurbish, renovate, fix up, restore: All
the bedrooms have been decorated.
decoration
n. 1 garnish, trim, trimming, adornment, embellishment,
ornament, ornamentation, garnishment: There's a bit too much
decoration on the cake. 2 medal, laurel, award, badge, colours,
order, ribbon, star, garter: Captain Harder won many
decorations in the war.
decorous adj. becoming, dignified, decent, correct, mannerly, seemly,
refined, elegant, polite, well-behaved, genteel, demure,
polished, gentlemanly, ladylike, seemly: Your behaviour was
less than decorous at last night's party.
decorum n. 1 etiquette, proper behaviour, propriety, good form,
mannerliness, politeness, dignity, gentility, good manners,
respectability, courtliness, deportment: The decorum of the
meeting was disturbed by rabble-rousers. 2 correctness,
propriety, protocol, punctilio, conformity: Please observe
proper decorum when visiting the embassy.
decoy n. 1 bait, lure, trap, attraction, enticement, inducement,
stool-pigeon: The hunters set out their decoys and waited for
the ducks.