Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Degrade

De-grade′

,
Verb.
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
.
Prynne was sentenced by the Star Chamber Court to be
degraded
from the bar.
Palfrey.
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
.
O miserable mankind, to what fall
Degraded
, to what wretched state reserved!
Milton.
Yet time ennobles or
degrades
each line.
Pope.
Her pride . . . struggled hard against this
degrading
passion.
Macaulay.
Syn. – To abase; demean; lower; reduce. See
Abase
.

De-grade′

,
Verb.
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
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Degrade

DEGRADE

,
Verb.
T.
[L. A step, a degree.]
1.
To reduce from a higher to a lower rank or degree; to deprive one of any office or dignity, by which he loses rank in society; to strip of honors; as, to degrade a nobleman, an archbishop or a general officer.
2.
To reduce in estimation; to lessen the value of ; to lower; to sink. Vice degrades a man in the view of others; often in his own view. Drunkenness degrades a man to the level of a beast.
3.
To reduce in altitude or magnitude.
Although the ridge is still there, the ridge itself has been degraded.

Definition 2024


degradé

degradé

See also: degrade, dégradé, and dégrade

Spanish

Verb

degradé

  1. First-person singular (yo) preterite indicative form of degradar.