dilapidation

dilapidation
    n 1: a state of deterioration due to old age or long use [syn:
         {decrepitude}, {dilapidation}]
    2: the process of becoming dilapidated [syn: {dilapidation},
       {ruin}]
    

Dilapidation \Di*lap`i*da"tion\, n. [L. dilapidatio: cf. F.
   dilapidation.]
   1. The act of dilapidating, or the state of being
      dilapidated, reduced to decay, partially ruined, or
      squandered.
      [1913 Webster]

            Tell the people that are relived by the dilapidation
            of their public estate.               --Burke.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Ecclesiastical waste; impairing of church property by an
      incumbent, through neglect or by intention.
      [1913 Webster]

            The business of dilapidations came on between our
            bishop and the Archibishop of York.   --Strype.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. (Law) The pulling down of a building, or suffering it to
      fall or be in a state of decay. --Burrill.
      [1913 Webster]
    

DILAPIDATION. Literally, this signifies the injury done to a building by 
taking stones from it; but in its figurative, which is also its technical 
sense, it means the waste committed or permitted upon a building. 
    

61 Moby Thesaurus words for "dilapidation":
      ablation, atomization, bankruptcy, biodegradability,
      biodegradation, breakage, breakdown, breakup, collapse, corrosion,
      corruption, crack-up, crippling, crumbling, damage, decay,
      decomposition, degradability, degradation, destruction, detriment,
      disablement, disintegration, disjunction, disorganization,
      disrepair, dissolution, encroachment, erosion, harm, hobbling,
      hurt, hurting, impairment, incapacitation, incoherence,
      infringement, injury, inroad, loss, maiming, mayhem, mildew,
      mischief, mold, mutilation, oxidation, oxidization,
      ravages of time, resolution, ruination, ruinousness, rust,
      sabotage, scathe, sickening, spoilage, spoiling, weakening, wear,
      wear and tear