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See Key, a ledge.

Cayenne pepper. Cayenne pepper. (a) (Bot.) A species of capsicum (C. frutescens) with small and intensely pungent fruit. (b) A very pungent spice made by drying and grinding the fruits or seeds of several species of the genus Capsicum, esp. C. annuum and C. Frutescens; -- Called also red pepper. It is used chiefly as a…

The south America alligator. See Alligator. [Sometimes written caiman.]

A small island or ledge of rock in the water; a key. [Sp. Am.]

; sing Cayuga. (Ethnol.) A tribe of Indians formerly inbabiting western New-York, forming part of the confederacy called the Five Nations.

An Indian pony. [Northw. U. S.]

A commander of a castle or fortress among the Spaniards, Portuguese, and Moors.

Same as Alcaid.

Of or pertaining to Biscay in Spain. -- n.

line; to fail; to become weak, corrupt, or disintegrated; to rot; to perish; as, a tree decays; fortunes decay; hopes decay. Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, Where wealth accumulates and men decay. Goldsmith.

Fallen, as to physical or social condition; affected with decay; rotten; as, decayed vegetation or vegetables; a decayed fortune or gentleman. -- De*cay"ed*ness, n.

A causer of decay. [R.]

A small coin of the value of six and a quarter cents. See Fippenny bit. [Local, U.S.]

Petty; paltry; mean; as, a picayunish business. [Colloq. U.S.]

Premature decay.

reatly. Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, Where wealth accumulates, and men decay. Goldsmith.

a new use; -- sometimes followed by to or for. For nature, always in the right, To your decays adapts my sight. Swift. Appeals adapted to his [man's] whole nature. Angus. Streets ill adapted for the residence of wealthy persons. Macaulay.

An old name for severwal species of Polyporus, corky fungi growing on decaying wood.

A loss or decay of sight, from loss of power in the optic nerve, without any perceptible external change in the eye; -- called also gutta serena, the "drop serene" of Milton.

portion; -- often followed by to. Analogous tendencies in arts and manners. De Quincey. Decay of public spirit, which may be considered analogous to natural death. J. H. Newman. nalogous pole (Pyroelect.), that pole of a crystal which becomes positively electrified when heated.