1. decay; breaking into component parts.   effluvium   decomposition   emollient   clavicle   Hint Half-n-half Clue   2. swirling motion of water or air.   conglomeration   conifer   eddy   astigmatism   Half-n-half Clue   3. degeneration; humiliation.   degradation   dichotomy   acoustics   arboretum   Half-n-half Clue   4. substance producing condition of no sensation.   carat   arboretum   anesthetic   humus   Half-n-half Clue   5. wasting away.   atrophy   fusion   dichotomy   emollient   Half-n-half Clue   6. ability of system to maintain stability.   homeostasis   imbalance   decomposition   cog   Half-n-half Clue   7. chemistry of changing baser metals into gold.   clavicle   conduit   alchemy   chassis   Half-n-half Clue