DECOMPOSITION

n. De-ko2m-po-ziash'u3n. Lat,, decompositio. Fr., decomposition. Ger., Zersetzung. The proce of decomposing or of being decomposed. Double d. Fr., decomposition double. Ger., doppelte Zersetzung. Syn.: double metathesis. A chemical change in which the molecules of two interacting compounds exchange a portion of their constituents. [B.] Hydrolytic d. The more or le complete di olution of minerals in water. [B, 270 (a, 27).] Simple d., Single d. Fr., decomposition \mique. Ger., einfache Zersetzung. A chemical change by which the molecule of a single compound either breaks up into its simpler constituents, or exchanges one of these constituents for the entire molecule of another body. In the latter case the proce is called single metathesis. [B.] [s. 517]