From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Decay \De*cay"\, verb (used without an object) [imp. & p. p. {Decayed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Decaying}.] [OF. decaeir, dechaer, decheoir, F. d['e]choir, to decline, fall, become less; L. de- + cadere to fall. See {Chance}.] To pass gradually from a sound, prosperous, or perfect state, to one of imperfection, adversity, or dissolution; to waste away; to decline; to fail; to become weak, corrupt, or disintegrated; to rot; to perish; as, a tree decays; fortunes decay; hopes decay.
Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, Where wealth accumulates and men decay. --Goldsmith.
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Decayed \De*cayed"\, adjective Fallen, as to physical or social condition; affected with decay; rotten; as, decayed vegetation or vegetables; a decayed fortune or gentleman. -- {De*cay"ed*ness}, noun
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
adjective
1: deteriorated by decay or rot; "decayed teeth"
2: damaged by decay; hence unsound and useless; "rotten floor boards"; "rotted beams"; "a decayed foundation" [syn: {rotten}, {rotted}]
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