degraded Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb reduce the level of land, as by erosion
    degrade.
  2. verb reduce in worth or character, usually verbally
    take down; demean; disgrace; degrade; put down.
    • She tends to put down younger women colleagues
    • His critics took him down after the lecture
  3. verb lower the grade of something; reduce its worth
    cheapen; degrade.
  4. adjective satellite unrestrained by convention or morality
    debauched; libertine; dissolute; fast; degenerate; dissipated; riotous; profligate.
    • Congreve draws a debauched aristocratic society
    • deplorably dissipated and degraded
    • riotous living
    • fast women
  5. adjective satellite lowered in value
    devalued; debased.
    • the dollar is low
    • a debased currency

WordNet

De*grad"ed adjective
Definitions
  1. Reduced in rank, character, or reputation; debased; sunken; low; base.
    The Netherlands . . . were reduced practically to a very degraded condition. Motley.
  2. (Biol.) Having the typical characters or organs in a partially developed condition, or lacking certain parts.
    Some families of plants are degraded dicotyledons. Dana.
  3. Cf. F. degré step. (Her.) Having steps; -- said of a cross each of whose extremities finishes in steps growing larger as they leave the center; -- termed also on degrees.

Webster 1913