degradation

degradation
[[t]de̱grəde͟ɪʃ(ə)n[/t]]
degradations
1) N-VAR (disapproval) You use degradation to refer to a situation, condition, or experience which you consider shameful and disgusting, especially one which involves poverty or immorality.

They were sickened by the scenes of misery and degradation they found...

She described the degradations she had been forced to suffer.

2) N-UNCOUNT: with supp Degradation is the process of something becoming worse or weaker, or being made worse or weaker.

As in the past, to the degradation of democracy, the debate again turned into a screaming match.

3) N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp The degradation of land or of the environment is the process of its becoming damaged and poorer, for example because of the effects of pollution, industry, and modern agricultural methods. [TECHNICAL]

There are serious problems of land degradation in some arid zones.

...the accelerating degradation of our planet's natural environment.

4) N-UNCOUNT: usu with poss In science, the degradation of a substance is the process of its breaking down into its separate parts or elements. [TECHNICAL]

...the degradation of salicylic acid in plants.


English dictionary. 2008.

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  • Degradation — • A canonical penalty by which an ecclesiastic is entirely and perpetually deprived of all office, benefice, dignity, and power conferred on him by ordination; and by a special ceremony is reduced to the state of a layman, losing the privileges… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • dégradation — 1. (dé gra da sion ; en poésie, de cinq syllabes) s. f. 1°   Destitution infamante d un grade, d une dignité, d une qualité. Dégradation militaire. Aucune peine infamante ne peut être exécutée contre un membre de la Légion d honneur, sans que d… …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • dégradation — DÉGRADATION. s. fém. Destitution ignominieuse du grade, de l état où l on est. Le Roi a fait défendre à tous les Gentilshommes, à peine de dégradation de Noblesse ... Dégradation des armes. La dégradation d un Officier de guerre. Dégradation de… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie Française 1798

  • Degradation — Deg ra*da tion, n. [LL. degradatio, from degradare: cf. F. d[ e]gradation. See {Degrade}.] 1. The act of reducing in rank, character, or reputation, or of abasing; a lowering from one s standing or rank in office or society; diminution; as, the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Degradation — may refer to; Biodegradation, the processes by which organic substances are broken down by living organisms Cashiering or degradation ceremony, a ritual performed when cleric is deprived of office or a knight is stripped of the honour Chemical… …   Wikipedia

  • Degradation — oder Degradierung (von lat. degrado „herabsetzen“, zu gradus „Schritt“) bezeichnet allgemein die sukzessive Verringerung eines Wertes oder einer Eigenschaft. Unter anderem wird als Degradierung bezeichnet: Degradierung (Rang), in der Soziologie,… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • degradation — Degradation. s. f. v. Destitution du grade auquel on est. Le Roy a fait deffendre à tous les Gentilshommes à peine de degradation de noblesse. Il signifie aussi, Le degast considerable qu on fait dans des bois, dans un heritage. Il a fait de… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • degradation — 1530s, from Fr. dégradation (14c., O.Fr. degradacion), from M.L. degradationem (nom. degradatio), noun of action from pp. stem of degradare (see DEGRADE (Cf. degrade)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • degradation — [deg΄rə dā′shən] n. [Fr dégradation < LL degradatio< degradare: see DEGRADE] 1. a degrading or being degraded in rank, status, or condition 2. a degraded condition 3. Geol. the lowering of land surfaces by erosion 4. R.C.Ch. laicization of… …   English World dictionary

  • Degradation — Degradation. См. Деградация. (Источник: «Металлы и сплавы. Справочник.» Под редакцией Ю.П. Солнцева; НПО Профессионал , НПО Мир и семья ; Санкт Петербург, 2003 г.) …   Словарь металлургических терминов

  • Degradation — (v. lat. Degradatio), 1) im Allgemeinen die Herabsetzung eines mit einer besonderen Würde Versehenen auf eine niedrigere Stufe, eine Ehrenstrafe; 2) besonders die Herabsetzung eines Beamten aus einem höheren Amte in ein niederes, eine… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

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