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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Degraded \De*grad"ed\, adjective
1. Reduced in rank, character, or reputation; debased; sunken; low; base.
The Netherlands . . . were reduced practically to a very degraded condition. --Motley.
2. (Biol.) Having the typical characters or organs in a partially developed condition, or lacking certain parts.
Some families of plants are degraded dicotyledons. --Dana.
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.
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Degrade \De*grade"\, verb (used with an object) [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) 2.0 [wn]:
degraded
adjective
1: unrestrained by convention or morality; "Congreve draws a debauched aristocratic society"; "deplorably dissipated and degraded"; "riotous living"; "fast women" [syn: {debauched}, {degenerate}, {dissipated}, {dissolute}, {libertine}, {profligate}, {riotous}, {fast}]
2: lowered in value; "the dollar is low"; "a debased currency" [syn: {debased}, {devalued}]
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Definitions retrieved from local copies of the freely distributed DICT client/server software and databases. Click here for database copyright information. - KM |