degrade Meaning, Definition & Usage

verb reduce the level of land, as by erosion
verb reduce in worth or character, usually verbally
take down; demean; disgrace; put down.
- She tends to put down younger women colleagues
- His critics took him down after the lecture
verb lower the grade of something; reduce its worth
cheapen.

F. dégrader, LL. degradare, fr. L. de- + gradus step, degree. See Grade, and cf. Degree.

imperfect & past participle Degraded; present participle & verbal noun Degrading

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, to degrade a nobleman, or a general officer.
Prynne was sentenced by the Star Chamber Court to be degraded from the bar. Palfrey.
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, vice degrades a man.
O miserable mankind, to what fall Degraded, to what wretched state reserved! Milton.

He pride . . . struggled hard against this degrading passion. Macaulay.
(Geol.) To reduce in altitude or magnitude, as hills and mountains; to wear down. Syn. -- To abase; demean; lower; reduce. See Abase.

(Biol.) To degenerate; to pass from a higher to a lower type of structure; as, a family of plants or animals degrades through this or that genus or group of genera.