also: まっせい
noun
Refers to a morally decayed or declining era, often with a sense of lament. Used in historical, literary, or critical contexts.
彼は末世の風潮を嘆いた。
He lamented the trends of this degenerate age.
noun
latter days of the law; age of the decline of Buddhism
Buddhist term for the final period after the Buddha's passing, when the Dharma is in decline. Often associated with the concept of 末法 (mappō).
See also: 末法
末世には仏法が衰えるとされる。
It is said that in the latter days of the law, the Buddha's teachings will decline.
末法 specifically refers to the third and final period of Buddhist teaching (the age of the decline of the Dharma), while 末世 can refer more broadly to any degenerate age, including the Buddhist concept.
From Middle Chinese 末世 (muɑt̚ ɕiᴇiH), meaning 'last age' or 'final generation'. The reading まっせ is the go-on reading, while まっせい is the kan-on reading.