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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Decomposition \De*com`po*si"tion\, n. [Pref. de- (in sense 3
intensive) composition: cf. F. d['e]composition. Cf.
{Decomposition}.]
1. The act or process of resolving the constituent parts of a
compound body or substance into its elementary parts;
separation into constituent part; analysis; the decay or
dissolution consequent on the removal or alteration of
some of the ingredients of a compound; disintegration; as,
the decomposition of wood, rocks, etc.
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2. The state of being reduced into original elements.
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3. Repeated composition; a combination of compounds. [Obs.]
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{Decomposition of forces}. Same as {Resolution of forces},
under {Resolution}.

{Decomposition of light}, the division of light into the
prismatic colors.
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