degenerate
1de·gen·er·ate
adj \di-ˈjen-rət, -ˈje-nə-, dē-\Definition of DEGENERATE
1
a : having declined or become less specialized (as in nature, character, structure, or function) from an ancestral or former state b : having sunk to a condition below that which is normal to a type; especially : having sunk to a lower and usually corrupt and vicious state c : degraded 2
2
: being mathematically simpler (as by having a factor or constant equal to zero) than the typical case <a degenerate hyperbola>
3
: characterized by atoms stripped of their electrons and by very great density <degenerate matter>; also : consisting of degenerate matter <a degenerate star>
4
: having two or more states or subdivisions <degenerate energy level>
5
: having more than one codon representing an amino acid; also : being such a codon
— de·gen·er·ate·ly adverb
— de·gen·er·ate·ness noun
See Examples of DEGENERATE
- He criticizes what he believes is a degenerate society.
- <a degenerate society in which people had no sense of being citizens, only consumers>
Origin of DEGENERATE
Middle English degenerat, from Latin degeneratus, past participle of degenerare to degenerate, from de- + gener-, genus race, kind — more at kin
First Known Use: 15th century
Related to DEGENERATE
Related Words: effeminate, overrefined, precious; decaying, declining, dying, failing, waning; debilitated, enervate, enervated, enfeebled, feeble, frail, languid, sapped, soft, wasted, weak, weakened, wimpy; dissolute, immoral; debased, debauched, degraded, demoralized, depraved, dissipated, dissolute
See Synonym Discussion at vicious
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