Degrade

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /dɪˈɡɹeɪd/, /diˈɡɹeɪd/

Origin

From Middle French dégrader

Full definition of degrade

Verb

1. (transitive) To lower in value or social position.Fred degrades himself by his behaviour.
• PalfreyPrynne was sentenced by the Star Chamber Court to be degraded from the bar.
2. (intransitive) To reduce in quality or purity.The DNA sample has degraded.
3. (transitive, geology) To reduce in altitude or magnitude, as hills and mountains; to wear down.

Derived terms

• degradation