degradation
NounOpen English WordNet
Noun (2)
- changing to a lower state (a less respected state)Synonyms: debasementType of change of stateKinds demoralization, profanation, humiliation, popularization, stultification, brutalization, dehumanization, barbarization, bastardization, corruption +1 more
- a low or downcast state“each confession brought her into an attitude of abasement — H.L.Menchken”Synonyms: abasementabjectionType of humiliationKinds depth, degeneracy
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Origin: LL. degradatio, from degradare: cf. F. dégradation. See Degrade.
1. The act of reducing in rank, character, or reputation, or of abasing; a lowering from one's standing or rank in office or society; diminution; as, the degradation of a peer, a knight, a general, or a bishop.
He saw many removes and degradations in all the other offices of which he had been possessed.— Edward Hyde, first earl of Clarendon
2. The state of being reduced in rank, character, or reputation; baseness; moral, physical, or intellectual degeneracy; disgrace; abasement; debasement.
The... degradation of a needy man of letters.— Thomas Babington Macaulay
Deplorable is the degradation of our nature.— Robert South
Moments there frequently must be, when a sinner is sensible of the degradation of his state.— Hugh Blair
3. Diminution or reduction of strength, efficacy, or value; degeneration; deterioration.
The development and degradation of the alphabetic forms can be traced.— I. Taylor (The Alphabet).
4. Geology A gradual wearing down or wasting, as of rocks and banks, by the action of water, frost etc.
5. Biology The state or condition of a species or group which exhibits degraded forms; degeneration.
The degradation of the species man is observed in some of its varieties.— James Dwight Dana
6. Physiology Arrest of development, or degeneration of any organ, or of the body as a whole.
Degradation of energy, or Dissipation of energy Physics, the transformation of energy into some form in which it is less available for doing work.
Synonyms: Abasement; debasement; reduction; decline.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54