A rotten thing to find (5)
I believe the answer is:
decay
This might be a double definition.
'a rotten thing' is the first definition.
The definition and answer can be both states of affairs as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'find' is the second definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to change as well as being verbs in their base form.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
'to' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for decay that I've seen before include "Deterioration" , "Decline, decompose" , "Putrefaction" , "Decompose or fall into ruin" , "Rot, moulder" .)