Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Degrade"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Degrade \De*grade"\, 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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
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.
3. (Geol.) To reduce in altitude or magnitude, as hills and
mountains; to wear down.
Syn: To abase; demean; lower; reduce. See {Abase}.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
degrade
v 1: reduce the level of land, as by erosion [ant: {aggrade}]
2: reduce in worth, character, etc.; disgrace; dishonour [syn:
{disgrace}, {demean}, {put down}]
3: lower the grade of something; reduce its worth [syn: {cheapen}]
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