I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
Etymology: down (IV) + grade, n.
1. : a downward grade (as of a road)
2. : a descent toward an inferior state : deterioration — used especially in the phrase on the downgrade
II. ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ adverb (or adjective)
: downhill
the road dips downgrade
the crossing where the downgrade freights hit so many buggies and teams — Wright Morris
III. (ˈ) ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ transitive verb
Etymology: down (II) + grade, v.
1. : to minimize or depreciate in grade
the folly of downgrading Soviet technology
those countries preparing to downgrade their commitments to NATO
2.
a. : to lower the market class of (as grain or produce) especially because of impurities or defects
several carlots of wheat were downgraded for excessive cockle
b. : to alter the status of (a workman or his job) so as to lower the rate of pay
older workers may often be kept employed by downgrading them to jobs that they are still able to handle
any major shift in production or methods is likely to require extensive downgrading of jobs
3. : to assign (as a document) to a less restricted classification of security