From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Degrade \De*grade"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Degraded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Degrading}.] [F. d['e]grader, LL. degradare, fr. L.
de- + gradus step, degree. See {Grade}, and cf. {Degree}.]
1. To reduce from a higher to a lower rank or degree; to
lower in rank; to deprive of office or dignity; to strip
of honors; as, to degrade a nobleman, or a general
officer.
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Prynne was sentenced by the Star Chamber Court to be
degraded from the bar. --Palfrey.
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2. To reduce in estimation, character, or reputation; to
lessen the value of; to lower the physical, moral, or
intellectual character of; to debase; to bring shame or
contempt upon; to disgrace; as, vice degrades a man.
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O miserable mankind, to what fall
Degraded, to what wretched state reserved! --Milton.
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Yet time ennobles or degrades each line. --Pope.
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Her pride . . . struggled hard against this
degrading passion. --Macaulay.
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3. (Geol.) To reduce in altitude or magnitude, as hills and
mountains; to wear down.
Syn: To abase; demean; lower; reduce. See {Abase}.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Degraded \De*grad"ed\, a.
1. Reduced in rank, character, or reputation; debased;
sunken; low; base.
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The Netherlands . . . were reduced practically to a
very degraded condition. --Motley.
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2. (Biol.) Having the typical characters or organs in a
partially developed condition, or lacking certain parts.
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Some families of plants are degraded dicotyledons.
--Dana.
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3. [Cf. F. degr['e] step.] (Her.) Having steps; -- said of a
cross each of whose extremities finishes in steps growing
larger as they leave the center; -- termed also on
degrees.
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From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
degraded
adj 1: unrestrained by convention or morality; "Congreve draws a
debauched aristocratic society"; "deplorably dissipated
and degraded"; "riotous living"; "fast women" [syn:
{debauched}, {degenerate}, {degraded}, {dissipated},
{dissolute}, {libertine}, {profligate}, {riotous},
{fast}]
2: lowered in value; "the dollar is low"; "a debased currency"
[syn: {debased}, {devalued}, {degraded}]
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