{ ‖ } n. [ F., fr. Per. bād-āward, or bād-āwardag, prop., a kind of white thorn or thistle. ] A gall produced on rosebushes, esp. on the sweetbrier or eglantine, by a puncture from the ovipositor of a gallfly (Rhodites rosæ). It was once supposed to have medicinal properties. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. bridegome, brudgume, AS. br&ymacr_;dguma (akin to OS. brūdigumo, D. bruidegom, bruigom, OHG. prūtigomo, MHG. briutegome, G. bräutigam); AS. br&ymacr_;d bride + guma man, akin to Goth. guma, Icel. gumi, OHG. gomo, L. homo; the insertion of r being caused by confusion with groom. See Bride, and cf. Groom, Homage. ] A man newly married, or just about to be married. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ n. Also . [ Cathode + -graph. ] (Physics) A picture produced by the Roentgen rays; a radiograph. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

‖a. [ F., p. p. of dégager to disengage. See De-, 1st Gage, and cf. Disgage. ] Unconstrained; easy; free. Vanbrugh.

A graceful and dégagé manner. Poe. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. degarnished p. pr. & vb. n. degarnishing. ] [ F. dégarnir; pref. dé-, des- (L. dis-) + garnir to furnish. See Garnish, and cf. Disgarnish. ] 1. To strip or deprive of entirely, as of furniture, ornaments, etc.; to disgarnish; as, to degarnish a house, etc. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To deprive of a garrison, or of troops necessary for defense; as, to degarnish a city or fort. [ R. ] Washington. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of depriving, as of furniture, apparatus, or a garrison. [ R. ]

n. 1. To make a (steel) ship's hull nonmagnetic by applying an opposing magnetic field. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. To remove irregular magnetization in (the electron gun of a cathode-ray tube); -- used to improve picture quality, especially in computer monitors. [ PJC ]

n. the process of making a (steel) ship's hull nonmagnetic by producing an opposing magnetic field. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

{ } v. i. [ See Degenerate. ] To degenerate. [ Obs. ] “Degendering to hate.” Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

He degenereth into beastliness. Joye. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ From Degenerate, a. ] 1. The act of becoming degenerate; a growing worse. [ 1913 Webster ]

Willful degeneracy from goodness. Tillotson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The state of having become degenerate; decline in good qualities; deterioration; meanness. [ 1913 Webster ]

Degeneracy of spirit in a state of slavery. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

To recover mankind out of their universal corruption and degeneracy. S. Clarke. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. degeneratus, p. p. of degenerare to degenerate, cause to degenerate, fr. degener base, degenerate, that departs from its race or kind; de- + genus race, kind. See Kin relationship. ] Having become worse than one's kind, or one's former state; having declined in worth; having lost in goodness; deteriorated; degraded; unworthy; base; low. [ 1913 Webster ]

Faint-hearted and degenerate king. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

A degenerate and degraded state. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Degenerate from their ancient blood. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

These degenerate days. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

I had planted thee a noble vine . . . : how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me? Jer. ii. 21. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Degenerated; p. pr. & vb. n. Degenerating. ] 1. To be or grow worse than one's kind, or than one was originally; hence, to be inferior; to grow poorer, meaner, or more vicious; to decline in good qualities; to deteriorate. [ 1913 Webster ]

When wit transgresseth decency, it degenerates into insolence and impiety. Tillotson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Biol.) To fall off from the normal quality or the healthy structure of its kind; to become of a lower type. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. a person who has declined from a high standard, especially a sexual deviate; -- usually used disparagingly or opprobriously of persons whose sexual behavior does not conform to the norms of accepted morals. [ PJC ]

2. a person or thing that has fallen from a higher to a lower state, or reverted to an earlier type or stage of development or culture. RHUD [ PJC ]

adv. In a degenerate manner; unworthily. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Degeneracy. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. dégénération. ] 1. The act or state of growing worse, or the state of having become worse; decline; degradation; debasement; degeneracy; deterioration. [ 1913 Webster ]

Our degeneration and apostasy. Bates. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Physiol.) That condition of a tissue or an organ in which its vitality has become either diminished or perverted; a substitution of a lower for a higher form of structure; as, fatty degeneration of the liver. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Biol.) A gradual deterioration, from natural causes, of any class of animals or plants or any particular organ or organs; hereditary degradation of type. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The thing degenerated. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Cockle, aracus, . . . and other degenerations. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

Amyloid degeneration,
Caseous degeneration, etc. See under Amyloid, Caseous, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Biol.) A believer in the theory of degeneration, or hereditary degradation of type; as, the degenerationists hold that savagery is the result of degeneration from a superior state. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Undergoing or producing degeneration; tending to degenerate. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. degener. See Degenerate. ] Degenerate; base. [ Obs. ] “Degenerous passions.” Dryden. “Degenerous practices.” South. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. Basely. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. (Milling) To extract the germs from, as from wheat grains. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. (Milling) A machine for breaking open the kernels of wheat or other grain and removing the germs. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

v. t. To remove the glaze from, as pottery or porcelain, so as to give a dull finish. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. The process of giving a dull or ground surface to glass by acid or by mechanical means. Knight. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Deprived of glory; dishonored. [ Obs. ] “With thorns degloried.” G. Fletcher. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Deglutinated; p. pr. & vb. n. Deglutinating. ] [ L. deglutinatus, p. p. of deglutinare to deglutinate; de- + glutinare to glue, gluten glue. ] To loosen or separate by dissolving the glue which unties; to unglue. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of ungluing. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. deglutire to swallow down; de- + glutire to swallow: cf. F. déglutition. See Glut. ] The act or process of swallowing food; the power of swallowing. [ 1913 Webster ]

The muscles employed in the act of deglutition. Paley. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pertaining to deglutition. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Serving for, or aiding in, deglutition. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

He saw many removes and degradations in all the other offices of which he had been possessed. Clarendon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The state of being reduced in rank, character, or reputation; baseness; moral, physical, or intellectual degeneracy; disgrace; abasement; debasement. [ 1913 Webster ]

The . . . degradation of a needy man of letters. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

Deplorable is the degradation of our nature. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

Moments there frequently must be, when a sinner is sensible of the degradation of his state. Blair. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Diminution or reduction of strength, efficacy, or value; degeneration; deterioration. [ 1913 Webster ]

The development and degradation of the alphabetic forms can be traced. I. Taylor (The Alphabet). [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Geol.) A gradual wearing down or wasting, as of rocks and banks, by the action of water, frost etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Biol.) The state or condition of a species or group which exhibits degraded forms; degeneration. [ 1913 Webster ]

The degradation of the species man is observed in some of its varieties. Dana. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Physiol.) Arrest of development, or degeneration of any organ, or of the body as a whole. [ 1913 Webster ]

Degradation of energy, or
Dissipation of energy (Physics), the transformation of energy into some form in which it is less available for doing work.

Syn. -- Abasement; debasement; reduction; decline. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Degraded; p. pr. & vb. n. Degrading. ] [ F. dégrader, 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Prynne was sentenced by the Star Chamber Court to be degraded from the bar. Palfrey. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

O miserable mankind, to what fall
Degraded, to what wretched state reserved! Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Yet time ennobles or degrades each line. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

Her pride . . . struggled hard against this degrading passion. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Geol.) To reduce in altitude or magnitude, as hills and mountains; to wear down.

Syn. -- To abase; demean; lower; reduce. See Abase. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. (Biol.) To degenerate; to pass from a higher to a lower type of structure; as, a family of plants or animals degrades through this or that genus or group of genera. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Reduced in rank, character, or reputation; debased; sunken; low; base. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Netherlands . . . were reduced practically to a very degraded condition. Motley. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Biol.) Having the typical characters or organs in a partially developed condition, or lacking certain parts. [ 1913 Webster ]

Some families of plants are degraded dicotyledons. Dana. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. [ Cf. F. degré 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Deprivation of rank or office; degradation. [ R. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. causing humiliation or degradation; as, a degrading surrender. [ PJC ]

adv. In a degrading manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖/mhw>, n. [ F.; cf. F. gras, a. & n., fat. ] A semisolid emulsion produced by the treatment of certain skins with oxidized fish oil, which extracts their soluble albuminoids. It was formerly solely a by-product of chamois leather manufacture, but is now made for its own sake, being valuable as a dressing for hides. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ L. degravare, degravatum, to make heavy. See Grave, a. ] The act of making heavy. [ Obs. ] Bailey. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To remove grease or fatty matter from, as wool or silk. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ F. degré, OF. degret, fr. LL. degradare. See Degrade. ] 1. A step, stair, or staircase. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

By ladders, or else by degree. Rom. of R. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One of a series of progressive steps upward or downward, in quality, rank, acquirement, and the like; a stage in progression; grade; gradation; as, degrees of vice and virtue; to advance by slow degrees; degree of comparison. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The point or step of progression to which a person has arrived; rank or station in life; position. “A dame of high degree.” Dryden. “A knight is your degree.” Shak. “Lord or lady of high degree.” Lowell. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Measure of advancement; quality; extent; as, tastes differ in kind as well as in degree. [ 1913 Webster ]

The degree of excellence which proclaims genius, is different in different times and different places. Sir. J. Reynolds. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Grade or rank to which scholars are admitted by a college or university, in recognition of their attainments; also, (informal) the diploma provided by an educational institution attesting to the achievement of that rank; as, the degree of bachelor of arts, master, doctor, etc.; to hang one's degrees on the office wall. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

☞ In the United States diplomas are usually given as the evidence of a degree conferred. In the humanities the first degree is that of bachelor of arts (B. A. or A. B.); the second that of master of arts (M. A. or A. M.). The degree of bachelor (of arts, science, divinity, law, etc.) is conferred upon those who complete a prescribed course of undergraduate study. The first degree in medicine is that of doctor of medicine (M. D.). The degrees of master and doctor are also conferred, in course, upon those who have completed certain prescribed postgraduate studies, as doctor of philosophy (Ph. D.); the degree of doctor is also conferred as a complimentary recognition of eminent services in science or letters, or for public services or distinction (as doctor of laws (LL. D.) or doctor of divinity (D. D.), when they are called honorary degrees. [ 1913 Webster ]

The youth attained his bachelor's degree, and left the university. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Genealogy) A certain distance or remove in the line of descent, determining the proximity of blood; one remove in the chain of relationship; as, a relation in the third or fourth degree. [ 1913 Webster ]

In the 11th century an opinion began to gain ground in Italy, that third cousins might marry, being in the seventh degree according to the civil law. Hallam. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. (Arith.) Three figures taken together in numeration; thus, 140 is one degree, 222, 140 two degrees. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. (Algebra) State as indicated by sum of exponents; more particularly, the degree of a term is indicated by the sum of the exponents of its literal factors; thus, a2b3c is a term of the sixth degree. The degree of a power, or radical, is denoted by its index, that of an equation by the greatest sum of the exponents of the unknown quantities in any term; thus, ax4 + bx2 = c, and mx2y2 + nyx = p, are both equations of the fourth degree. [ 1913 Webster ]

9. (Trig.) A 360th part of the circumference of a circle, which part is taken as the principal unit of measure for arcs and angles. The degree is divided into 60 minutes and the minute into 60 seconds. [ 1913 Webster ]

10. A division, space, or interval, marked on a mathematical or other instrument, as on a thermometer. 11. (Mus.) A line or space of the staff. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The short lines and their spaces are added degrees. [ 1913 Webster ]

Accumulation of degrees. (Eng. Univ.) See under Accumulation. --
By degrees, step by step; by little and little; by moderate advances. “I'll leave it by degrees.” Shak. --
Degree of a curve or
Degree of a surface (Geom.), the number which expresses the degree of the equation of the curve or surface in rectilinear coordinates. A straight line will, in general, meet the curve or surface in a number of points equal to the degree of the curve or surface and no more. --
Degree of latitude (Geog.), on the earth, the distance on a meridian between two parallels of latitude whose latitudes differ from each other by one degree. This distance is not the same on different parts of a meridian, on account of the flattened figure of the earth, being 68.702 statute miles at the equator, and 69.396 at the poles. --
Degree of longitude, the distance on a parallel of latitude between two meridians that make an angle of one degree with each other at the poles -- a distance which varies as the cosine of the latitude, being at the equator 69.16 statute miles. --
To a degree, to an extreme; exceedingly; as, mendacious to a degree. [ 1913 Webster ]

It has been said that Scotsmen . . . are . . . grave to a degree on occasions when races more favored by nature are gladsome to excess. Prof. Wilson. [ 1913 Webster ]

pos>a. possessing a college degree or degrees. [ PJC ]

adj. 1. going down by steps. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. gradually decreasing in rate on sums below a certain amount. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

‖n. [ Native name. ] (Zool.) A small South American rodent (Octodon Cumingii), of the family Octodontidæ. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Degummed p. pr. & vb. n. Degumming. ] To deprive of, or free from, gum; as, to degum ramie. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

v. t. [ L. degustare: cf. F. déguster. See Gust to taste. ] To taste. [ Obs. ] Cockeram. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. degustatio: cf. F. dégustation. ] (Physiol.) Tasting; the appreciation of sapid qualities by the taste organs. Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The incomprehensible or pompous jargon of specialists; as, psychoanalytic gobbledygook. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Perh. fr. heyday + guise. ] A kind of country-dance or round. [ Obs. ] Spenser.

n. & a. See Madecassee. [ 1913 Webster ]