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more about degrade
degrade |
3 definitions found 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 1.6 [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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