de·grade /dɪˈgred, di-/
 (vt.)(vi.)(使)降級,(使)墮落,(使)退化


 de·grade /dɪˈgred/ 及物動詞
 降低,遞降,減低,退化


 De·grade v. t. [imp. & p. p. Degraded; p. pr. & vb. n. Degrading.]
 1. 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.
 2. 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.
    Yet time ennobles or degrades each line.   --Pope.
    Her pride . . . struggled hard against this degrading passion.   --Macaulay.
 3. Geol. To reduce in altitude or magnitude, as hills and mountains; to wear down.
 Syn: -- To abase; demean; lower; reduce. See Abase.


 De·grade, v. i. 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.

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 degrade
      v 1: reduce the level of land, as by erosion [ant: aggrade]
      2: reduce in worth or character, usually verbally; "She tends
         to put down younger women colleagues"; "His critics took
         him down after the lecture" [syn: take down, disgrace,
          demean, put down]
      3: lower the grade of something; reduce its worth [syn: cheapen]