ppl. a. [UN-1 8.] Not decomposed: a. Of chemical or mineral substances.

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1758.  Reid, trans. Macquer’s Chym., I. 248. If the Fixed Alkali be desired perfectly free from any mixture of undecomposed Nitre.

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1789.  Phil. Trans., LXXIX. 307. The volatile alkali … will frequently pass over in great quantities undecomposed.

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1849.  D. Campbell, Inorg. Chem., 49. Sometimes there is a very small quantity of undecomposed matter remaining undissolved.

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1880.  J. Lomas, Man. Alkali Trade, 277. Large quantities of undecomposed manganese.

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  b.  Of substances liable to organic decay.

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a. 1835.  McCulloch, Attributes (1837), III. xlii. 120. The fallen wood in particular is useless to future vegetation while it is undecomposed.

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1855.  Orr’s Circ. Sci., Inorg. Nat., 64. The flesh having been preserved in a sufficiently undecomposed state to serve as food for wild animals.

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