Definition of decadence Decadence

/dɛˈkʌdʌns/ - [dekuduns] - dec•a•dence

We found 7 definitions of decadence from 7 different sources.

What does decadence mean?

WordNet

Noun
decadence - the state of being degenerate in mental or moral qualities
		degeneracy, degeneration, decadency
		abjection, abasement, degradation a low or downcast state; "each confession brought her into an attitude of abasement"- H.L.Menchken

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Wiktionary

decadence (Noun)
A state of moral or artistic decline or deterioration; decay.

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

decadence (n.)
Alt. of Decadency

OmegaWiki DictionaryOmegaWiki Dictionary Ω

decadence
Moral degeneration or decay.

Chambers DictionaryChamber's 20th Century Dictionary 📕

decadence
dek′a-dens, or de-kā′-, Dec′adency (or de-kā′-), n. state of decay: a term for a school in modern French literature not distinguished for vigour or originality.—adj. Dec′adent (or de-kā′-), decaying.—n. something decaying or decayed. [Fr.,—Low L. decadentia, from L. de, down—cadĕre, to fall.]

Wikipedia

Decadence (pronounced: DEK-a-dence) means a state in which people are behaving in a way that is morally bad. The adjective is decadent (pronounce: DEK-a-dent). It has nothing to do with the word decade (10 years). “Decadence” comes from the Latin words “de” (from) and “cadere” (to fall).

Decadence is usually a state in a society which used to be good but has become bad. Many people have started to behave in a way that others think is shocking. Of course, not everyone will agree what is “good” or “bad”, but some societies, such as ancient Rome at the end of its existence, are always thought to have been decadent.

In literature and other arts the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century is often called the “Decadent movement”. It is often called the “fin de siècle” (end of century). In France there were several writers who were happy to be called “decadent”. They included Paul Verlaine, Charles Baudelaire, Arthur Rimbaud and Stéphane Mallarmé. In England they included Oscar Wilde.

Part of speech

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decadence, noun, singular of decadences.

Pronunciation

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Sign Language

decadence in sign language