degenerate

degenerate definition - medical

de·gen·er·ate (dĭ-jĕnˈər-ĭt)

adjective
  1. Characterized by degeneration, as of tissue, a cell, or an organ.
  2. Having lost one or more highly developed functions, characteristics, or structures through evolution.
verb (-ə-rātˌ)
To undergo the process of degeneration.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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