DETERIORATE


Meaning of DETERIORATE in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt, dē- ]

verb

( -rat·ed ; -rat·ing )

Etymology: Late Latin deterioratus, past participle of deteriorare, from Latin deterior worse, from de- + -ter (suffix as in Latin uter which of two) + -ior (comparative suffix) — more at whether , -er

Date: 1572

transitive verb

1. : to make inferior in quality or value : impair

2. : disintegrate

intransitive verb

: to become impaired in quality, functioning, or condition : degenerate

allowed a tradition of academic excellence to deteriorate

his health deteriorated

• de·te·ri·o·ra·tive -ˌrā-tiv adjective

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.