degradation
/ˌdɛɡɹəˈdeɪʃən/ noun C1- The act of reducing in rank, character, or reputation, or of abasing; a lowering from one's standing or rank in office or society
- The state of being reduced in rank, character, or reputation; baseness; moral, physical, or intellectual degeneracy; disgrace; abasement; debasement.
- Diminution or reduction of strength, efficacy, or value; degeneration; deterioration.
- A gradual wearing down or wasting, as of rocks and banks, by the action of water, frost etc.
- A deleterious change in the chemical structure, physical properties or appearance of a material from natural or artificial exposure.
- The state or condition of a species or group which exhibits degraded forms; degeneration.
- Arrest of development, or degeneration of any organ, or of the body as a whole. · muscle degradation
- The gradual breakdown of components of a material, as a result of a natural element, i.e.: heat, cold and wind.
Plural degradations
From the library
His sense of her inferiority, of its being a degradation, of the family obstacles which judgment had always opposed to inclination, were dwelt on with a warmth which seemed due to the consequence he was wounding, but was very unlikely to recommend his suit.
He found the count standing before some copies of Albano and Fattore that had been passed off to the banker as originals; but which, mere copies as they were, seemed to feel their degradation in being brought into juxtaposition with the gaudy colors that covered the ceiling.
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