degenerate

UK /dɪˈd͡ʒɛnəɹɪt/ US /dɪˈd͡ʒɛnəɹɪt/
adj 5verb 2noun 1

Definitions

adj

1

Having deteriorated, degraded or fallen from normal, coherent, balanced and desirable to undesirable and typically abnormal.

2

Having lost good or desirable qualities; hence also having bad character or habits, base, immoral, corrupt. ABR

faint-hearted and degenerate king

But what can Cato do Againſt a World, a baſe degenerate World, That courts the Yoke, and bows the Neck to Cæſar?

3

Having lost functionality in general.

It is likely that the long evolutionary trajectory of Mycoplasma went from a reductive autotroph to oxidative heterotroph to a cell-wall–defective degenerate parasite. This evolutionary trajectory assumes the simplicity to complexity route of biogenesis, a point of view that is not universally accepted.

4

Having multiple domain elements correspond to one element of the range.

The genetic code is degenerate because a single amino acid can be coded by one of several codons.

5

Qualitatively different, usually simpler, than typical objects of its class.

A degenerate circle, having radius zero, consists of a single point.

We now apply the geometrical construction explained in the appendix to the degenerate triangle ABC.

noun

1

One who is degenerate, who has fallen from previous stature; an immoral or corrupt person.

In the cult of degenerates, acts of decency, kindness and modesty could be seen as acts of apostasy.

The undeveloped or mysterically confused thought which exists in savages is fully exemplified in the childish or crazy atavistic anthropomorphism and symbolism so prevalent among degenerates.

verb

1

To lose good or desirable qualities.

His condition continued to degenerate even after admission to hospital.

Another bird quickly learned to imitate the song of a canary that was mated with it, but as the parrakeet improved in the performance the canary degenerated, and came at last to mingle the other bird's harsh chitterings with its own proper music.

2

To cause to lose good or desirable qualities.

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