DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan
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.
degrading
adj 1: harmful to the mind or morals; "corrupt judges and their
corrupting influence"; "the vicious and degrading cult
of violence" [syn: corrupting]
2: used of conduct; characterized by dishonor [syn: debasing]