v. 1 tr. reduce to a lower rank, esp. as a punishment. 2 tr. bring into dishonour or contempt. 3 tr. Chem. reduce to a simpler molecular structure. 4 tr. Physics reduce (energy) to a less convertible form. 5 tr. Geol. wear down (rocks etc.) by disintegration. 6 intr. degenerate. 7 intr. Chem. disintegrate. degradable adj. degradation n. degradative adj. degrader n.
[ ME f. OF degrader f. eccl.L degradare (as DE-, L gradus step) ]