pref. [ Cf. Ten. ] A prefix, from Gr.
‖n. pl. [ NL., fr. Gr.
a. [ L. decacuminare to cut off the top. See Cacuminate. ] Having the point or top cut off. [ Obs. ] Bailey. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. A decade. [ 1913 Webster ]
Averill was a decad and a half his elder. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Pertaining to ten; consisting of tens. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ F. décade, L. decas, -adis, fr. Gr. &unr_;, fr.
During this notable decade of years. Gladstone.
a. Decaying; deteriorating. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. One that is decadent, or deteriorating; esp., one characterized by, or exhibiting, the qualities of those who are degenerating to a lower type; -- specif. applied to a certain school of modern French writers.
The decadents and æsthetes, and certain types of realists. C. L. Dana.
The business men of a great State allow their State to be represented in Congress by “decadents”. The Century. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]