degeneracy

The state of being degenerate (in all senses).

If it be true, that the preſent age is more corrupt, than the preceding, the great multiplication of Novels has probably contributed to its degeneracy.

Inveterate abuse of drinking in nonhereditarily disposed persons creates a degeneracy like the hereditary.

The ability of one part of the brain to take over another's function without being overexerted.

A limiting case of a class of objects which appears to be qualitatively different from (and usually simpler than) the rest of the class.