gradual+wasting
61literature — /lit euhr euh cheuhr, choor , li treuh /, n. 1. writings in which expression and form, in connection with ideas of permanent and universal interest, are characteristic or essential features, as poetry, novels, history, biography, and essays. 2.… …
62decline — I noun abatement, act of crumbling, act of dwindling, act of falling away, act of lessening, act of losing ground, act of shrinking, act of slipping back, act of wasting away, act of weakening, act of worsening, atrophy, backward step, cheapening …
63decay — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) n. decomposition, deterioration, disintegration, dilapidation, putrefaction, rot, caries. v. i. rot, putrefy, mortify; disintegrate. See oldness, uncleanness. II (Roget s IV) n. 1. [A progressive… …
64wear — [[t]wɛər[/t]] v. wore, worn, wear•ing, n. 1) to carry or have on the body or about the person as a covering, support, ornament, or the like: to wear a coat; to wear a wig[/ex] 2) to bear or have in one s aspect or appearance: to wear a smile[/ex] …
65decay — [dē kā′, dikā′] vi. [ME decaien < Anglo Fr & OFr decäir < VL * decadere: see DECADENCE] 1. to lose strength, soundness, health, beauty, prosperity, etc. gradually; waste away; deteriorate 2. to rot or decompose 3. to undergo radioactive… …
66Degradation — Deg ra*da tion, n. [LL. degradatio, from degradare: cf. F. d[ e]gradation. See {Degrade}.] 1. The act of reducing in rank, character, or reputation, or of abasing; a lowering from one s standing or rank in office or society; diminution; as, the… …
67Degradation of energy — Degradation Deg ra*da tion, n. [LL. degradatio, from degradare: cf. F. d[ e]gradation. See {Degrade}.] 1. The act of reducing in rank, character, or reputation, or of abasing; a lowering from one s standing or rank in office or society;… …
68Dissipation of energy — Degradation Deg ra*da tion, n. [LL. degradatio, from degradare: cf. F. d[ e]gradation. See {Degrade}.] 1. The act of reducing in rank, character, or reputation, or of abasing; a lowering from one s standing or rank in office or society;… …
69Tabefaction — Tab e*fac tion, n. [See {Tabefy}.] A wasting away; a gradual losing of flesh by disease. [1913 Webster] …
70To wear away — Wear Wear, v. t. [imp. {Wore} (w[=o]r); p. p. {Worn} (w[=o]rn); p. pr. & vb. n. {Wearing}. Before the 15th century wear was a weak verb, the imp. & p. p. being {Weared}.] [OE. weren, werien, AS. werian to carry, to wear, as arms or clothes; akin… …