Part 2875

<h1>Degrade</h1> <Xpage=383>

<hw>De*grade"</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Degraded</er>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Degrading</er>.]</wordforms> <ety>[F. <ets>d\'82grader</ets>, LL. <ets>degradare</ets>, fr. L. <ets>de-</ets> + <ets>gradus</ets> step, degree. See <er>Grade</er>, and cf. <er>Degree</er>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>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>as, to <ex>degrade</ex> a nobleman, or a general officer</as>.</def>

<blockquote>Prynne was sentenced by the Star Chamber Court to be <b>degraded</b> from the bar. <i>Palfrey.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>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>as, vice <ex>degrades</ex> a man</as>.</def>

<blockquote>O miserable mankind, to what fall <b>Degraded</b>, to what wretched state reserved! <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>He pride . . . struggled hard against this <b>degrading</b> passion. <i>Macaulay.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <fld>(Geol.)</fld> <def>To reduce in altitude or magnitude, as hills and mountains; to wear down.</def>

<syn>Syn. -- To abase; demean; lower; reduce. See <er>Abase</er>.</syn>

<h1>Degrade</h1> <Xpage=383>

<hw>De*grade"</hw>, <tt>v. i.</tt> <fld>(Biol.)</fld> <def>To degenerate; to pass from a higher to a lower type of structure; <as>as, a family of plants or animals <ex>degrades</ex> through this or that genus or group of genera</as>.</def>

<h1>Degraded</h1> <Xpage=383>

<hw>De*grad"ed</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>Reduced in rank, character, or reputation; debased; sunken; low; base.</def>

<blockquote>The Netherlands . . . were reduced practically to a very <b>degraded</b> condition. <i>Motley.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <fld>(Biol.)</fld> <def>Having the typical characters or organs in a partially developed condition, or lacking certain parts.</def>

<blockquote>Some families of plants are <b>degraded</b> dicotyledons. <i>Dana.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <ety>[Cf. F. <ets>degr\'82</ets> step.]</ety> <fld>(Her.)</fld> <def>Having steps; -- said of a cross each of whose extremities finishes in steps growing larger as they leave the center; -- termed also <i>on degrees</i>.</def>

<h1>Degradement</h1> <Xpage=383>

<hw>De*grade"ment</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>Deprivation of rank or office; degradation.</def> <mark>[R.]</mark>

<i>Milton.</i>

<h1>Degradingly</h1> <Xpage=383>

<hw>De*grad"ing*ly</hw>, <tt>adv.</tt> <def>In a degrading manner.</def>

<h1>Degravation</h1> <Xpage=383>

<hw>Deg`ra*va"tion</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>degravare</ets>, <ets>degravatum</ets>, to make heavy. See <er>Grave</er>, <tt>a.</tt>]</ety> <def>The act of making heavy.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Bailey.</i>

<h1>Degree</h1> <Xpage=383>

<hw>De*gree"</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[F. <ets>degr\'82</ets>, OF. <ets>degret</ets>, fr. LL. <ets>degradare</ets>. See <er>Degrade</er>.]</ety>