adj., n., & v.
--adj.
1. having lost the qualities that are normal and desirable or proper to its kind; fallen from former excellence.
2 Biol. having changed to a lower type.
--n. a degenerate person or animal.
--v.intr. become degenerate.
Derivatives:
degeneracy n. degenerately adv.
Etymology: L degeneratus past part. of degenerare (as DE-, genus -eris race)