degenerate
1Degenerate — De*gen er*ate, a. [L. degeneratus, p. p. of degenerare to degenerate, cause to degenerate, fr. degener base, degenerate, that departs from its race or kind; de + genus race, kind. See {Kin} relationship.] Having become worse than one s kind, or… …
2Degenerate — Degenerate …
3degenerate — [dē jen′ər it, dijen′ər it; ] for v. [, dē jen′ərāt΄, di jen′ərāt΄] adj. [L degeneratus, pp. of degenerare, to become unlike one s race, degenerate < degener, not genuine, base < de , from + genus, race: see GENUS] 1. having sunk below a… …
4degenerate — [adj] corrupt, deteriorated base, debased, debauched, decadent, decayed, degenerated, degraded, demeaned, depraved, dissolute, effete, failing, fallen, flatitious, immoral, infamous, low, mean, miscreant, nefarious, overripe, perverted,… …
5degenerate — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ having lost normal and desirable qualities; showing evidence of moral or physical decline. ► NOUN ▪ a morally degenerate person. ► VERB ▪ deteriorate physically or morally. DERIVATIVES degeneracy noun degenerately adverb …
6Degenerate — De*gen er*ate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Degenerated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Degenerating}.] 1. To be or grow worse than one s kind, or than one was originally; hence, to be inferior; to grow poorer, meaner, or more vicious; to decline in good qualities;… …
7degenerate — de*gen er*ate, n. 1. a person who has declined from a high standard, especially a sexual deviate; usually used disparagingly or opprobriously of persons whose sexual behavior does not conform to the norms of accepted morals. [PJC] 2. a person or… …
8degenerate — I noun corrupt person, debased person, debauchee, decadent person, degraded person, depraved person, derelict, disreputable person, immoral person, pervert, rapscallion, recreant, scamp, scapegrace, transgressor, wastrel, worthless person II verb …
9degenerate — adj corrupt, infamous, *vicious, villainous, iniquitous, nefarious, flagitious Analogous words: degraded, demeaned (see ABASE): debased, depraved, debauched, perverted (see under DEBASE): dissolute, *abandoned, reprobate, profligate …
10degenerate — I. adjective Etymology: Middle English degenerat, from Latin degeneratus, past participle of degenerare to degenerate, from de + gener , genus race, kind more at kin Date: 15th century 1. a. having declined or become less specialized (as in… …
