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degeneration

[ dih-jen-uh-rey-shuhn ]
/ dɪˌdʒɛn əˈreɪ ʃən /
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noun
the process of degenerating.
the condition or state of being degenerate.
Pathology.
  1. a process by which a tissue deteriorates, loses functional activity, and may become converted into or replaced by other kinds of tissue.
  2. the condition produced by such a process.
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Origin of degeneration

First recorded in 1475–85, degeneration is from the Late Latin word dēgenerātiōn- (stem of dēgenerātiō). See de-, generation

OTHER WORDS FROM degeneration

non·de·gen·er·a·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use degeneration in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for degeneration

degeneration
/ (dɪˌdʒɛnəˈreɪʃən) /

noun
the process of degenerating
the state of being degenerate
biology the loss of specialization, function, or structure by organisms and their parts, as in the development of vestigial organs
  1. impairment or loss of the function and structure of cells or tissues, as by disease or injury, often leading to death (necrosis) of the involved part
  2. the resulting condition
electronics negative feedback of a signal
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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