degradation

noun
/ˌdɛɡɹəˈdeɪʃən/UK

Etymology

From French dégradation. Morphologically degrade + -ation.

  1. derived from dégradation

Definitions

  1. The act of reducing in rank, character, or reputation, or of abasing

    The act of reducing in rank, character, or reputation, or of abasing; a lowering from one's standing or rank in office or society

    • This feature of good organization, the conferring of definite local superior rank, and the protection of the incumbent from unnecessary degradation, was discovered centuries ago by another effective institution, the Catholic church.
  2. The state of being reduced in rank, character, or reputation

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

    • There will be no poverty. All work will be done by living machines. Everybody will be free from worry and liberated from the degradation of labor. Everybody will live only to perfect himself.
    • Money is the great breaker-up of love and friendship; and this is, I believe, the reason of the common saying, that "large families get on best in the world," because they can receive from each other assistance without degradation.
  3. Diminution or reduction of strength, efficacy, or value

    Diminution or reduction of strength, efficacy, or value; degeneration; deterioration.

  4. + 5 more definitions
    1. A gradual wearing down or wasting, as of rocks and banks, by the action of water, frost…

      A gradual wearing down or wasting, as of rocks and banks, by the action of water, frost etc.

      • Overexploitation of land for fuelwood is a further cause of soil degradation in Africa, Asia and South America
    2. A deleterious change in the chemical structure, physical properties or appearance of a…

      A deleterious change in the chemical structure, physical properties or appearance of a material from natural or artificial exposure.

    3. The state or condition of a species or group which exhibits degraded forms

      The state or condition of a species or group which exhibits degraded forms; degeneration.

    4. Arrest of development, or degeneration of any organ, or of the body as a whole.

      • muscle degradation
    5. The gradual breakdown of components of a material, as a result of a natural element, i.e.

      The gradual breakdown of components of a material, as a result of a natural element, i.e.: heat, cold and wind.

The neighborhood

Vish — recursive loop

No curated loop yet for degradation. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA