English Explanatory Dictionary

degeneration

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The process or state of growing worse, or the state of having become worse.
  2. That condition of a tissue or an organ in which its vitality has become either diminished or perverted; a substitution of a lower for a higher form of structure.
  3. Gradual deterioration, from natural causes, of any class of animals or plants or any particular organ or organs; hereditary degradation of type.
  4. A thing that has degenerated.

Pronunciation

/dɪˌdʒɛnəˈɹeɪʃən/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-degeneration.wav

Word forms

degeneration degenerations

Etymology

From French dégénération, from Latin dēgenerātiō.

Synonyms

nerf decadence decline degradation debasement degeneracy deterioration

Related words

degenerate degenerative

Derived words

biodegeneration citrus vein phloem degeneration cytodegeneration degenerationism degenerationist hepatolenticular degeneration hyaline degeneration macular degeneration microdegeneration myelodegeneration myodegeneration neurodegeneration nondegeneration osteodegeneration predegeneration vasodegeneration Wallerian degeneration
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