— degradational , adj. — degradative , adj.
/deg'reuh day"sheuhn/ , n.
1. the act of degrading.
2. the state of being degraded.
3. Physical Geog. the wearing down of the land by the erosive action of water, wind, or ice.
4. Chem. the breakdown of an organic compound.
[ 1525-35; degradation- (s. of degradatio ), equiv. to degradat ( us ) (ptp. of degradare to DEGRADE) + -ion- -ION ]
Syn. 2. humiliation, disgrace, dishonor, debasement.