degrade
degrade definition
de·grade (dē grād′, di-)
transitive verb degraded -·grad′ed, degrading -·grad′·ing
- to lower in rank or status, as in punishing; demote
- to lower or corrupt in quality, moral character, or value; debase
- to bring into dishonor or contempt
- Chem. to convert (an organic compound) into a simpler compound by removal of one or more parts of the molecule; decompose
- Geol. to lower (a land surface) by erosion
Etymology: ME degraden < OFr degrader < LL degradare, to reduce in rank < L de-, down + gradus: see de- & grade
intransitive verb
- Rare to sink to a lower grade or type
- to be converted into a simpler compound or compounds; decompose
Related Forms:
- degrader de·grad′er noun
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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