(n.) 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 degradation of a peer, a knight, a
general, or a bishop.
(n.) The state of being reduced in rank, character, or
reputation; baseness; moral, physical, or intellectual degeneracy;
disgrace; abasement; debasement.
(n.) Diminution or reduction of strength, efficacy, or
value; degeneration; deterioration.
(n.) A gradual wearing down or wasting, as of rocks and
banks, by the action of water, frost etc.
(n.) The state or condition of a species or group which
exhibits degraded forms; degeneration.
(n.) Arrest of development, or degeneration of any organ,
or of the body as a whole.