decayed

Whoever enquires, as I have frequently done, from those who have asked me an alms; what was their former course of life, will find them to have been servants in good families, broken tradesmen, labourers, cottagers, and what they call decayed house-keepers; but (to use their own cant) reduced by losses and crosses, by which nothing can be understood but idleness and vice.

The Prose Works of Jonathan Swift, D.D. - Volume 07 Historical and Political Tracts-Irish Jonathan Swift 1706

My reading has steadily decayed from the start of the year (which I think is mostly due to travel more than anything else):

Breakfast in Bed desayunoencama 2005

Unlike U.S. cities, which have decayed from the center outward, Johannesburg is ringed by its destitute areas-a condition the South African economist Richard Tomlinson likens to a "too-tight belt around a very fat stomach."

The Struggle to Govern Johannesburg 1995

Every time that France seemed to be on the verge of the precipice, that country, which some people called a decayed country, showed herself united; she showed that union in the minds and in the hearts which is the first condition of strength.

France and Her Allies 1919

But whether this unemotional ideal be the genuine tradition of the gentleman, or only one of the inventions of the modern gentleman (who may be called the decayed gentleman), it certainly has something to do with the unemotional quality in these society novels.

Heretics 1905

Cargrim was not ill pleased at this obstinacy, as it gave him an opportunity of entering into conversation with the so-called decayed clergyman, who was as unlike a parson as a rabbit is like a terrier.

The Bishop's Secret Fergus Hume 1895

These unfortunate sisters, who were rather malodorously called decayed gentlewomen, became eager and petted pupils of a new and popular organization called the South

The Development of Embroidery in America Candace Wheeler 1875

That the said customary tenants, and every of them, may cut down any old trees, called decayed pollard trees, standing or growing in or upon his customary tenement, and sell and dispose of the same, at his and their will and pleasure.

John Keble's Parishes Charlotte Mary Yonge 1862

He was inspired by the idea of decayed elegance but also wanted to reflect how Miss Havisham could have looked as a young girl.

Telegraph.co.uk - Telegraph online, Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph 2011

He was inspired by the idea of decayed elegance but also wanted to reflect how Miss Haversham could have looked as a young girl.

Telegraph.co.uk - Telegraph online, Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph 2011