reduced in rank, position, reputation, etc.: He felt degraded by the trivial tasks assigned to him.
reduced in quality or value; debased; vulgarized: the degraded level of the modern novel.
Origin of degraded
late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at degrade, -ed2
Related formsde·grad·ed·ly, adverbde·grad·ed·ness, nounun·de·grad·ed, adjective
degrade
[dih-greydor for 3, dee-greyd]
verb (used with object),de·grad·ed,de·grad·ing.
to lower in dignity or estimation; bring into contempt: He felt they were degrading him by making him report to the supervisor.
to lower in character or quality; debase.
to reduce (someone) to a lower rank, degree, etc.; deprive of office, rank, status, or title, especially as a punishment: degraded from director to assistant director.
to reduce in amount, strength, intensity, etc.
Physical Geography. to wear down by erosion, as hills.Compare aggrade.
Chemistry. to break down (a compound, especially an organic hydrocarbon).
verb (used without object),de·grad·ed,de·grad·ing.
to become degraded; weaken or worsen; deteriorate.
Chemistry. (especially of an organic hydrocarbon compound) to break down or decompose.
Origin of degrade
1275–1325;Middle Englishdegraden < Late Latindēgradāre, equivalent to Latindē-de- + grad(us) grade + -āre infinitive suffix
late 14c., from Old French degrader (12c.) "degrade, deprive (of office, rank, etc.)," from des- "down" (see dis-) + Latin gradus "step" (see grade (n.)). Related: Degraded; degrading.
