Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Decomposition
De-comˊpo-si′tion
,Noun.
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.2.
The state of being reduced into original elements.
3.
Repeated composition; a combination of compounds.
[Obs.]
Decomposition of forces
. Same as
– Resolution of forces
, under Resolution
. Decomposition of light
, the division of light into the prismatic colors.