1. (de-jen′er-at)To pass to a lower level of mental, physical, or moral state; to fall below the normal or acceptable type or state. 2. (de-jen′e-rat)Below the normal or acceptable; that which has passed to a lower level.
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de·gen·er·ate di-'jen-(ə-)rət adj
1 a) having declined (as in nature, character, structure, or function) from an ancestral or former state esp having deteriorated progressively (as in the process of evolution) esp. through loss of structure and function
b) having sunk to a lower and usu. corrupt and vicious state
2) having more than one codon representing an amino acid also being such a codon
de·gen·er·ate di-'jen-ə-.rāt vi, -at·ed; -at·ing
1) to sink into a low intellectual or moral state
2) : to pass from a higher to a lower type or condition: as
a) to gradually deteriorate so that normal function or structure is impaired or lost <the retina degenerated>
b) to decline from the standards of a species, race, or breed
3) to evolve or develop into a less autonomous or less functionally active form <degenerated into dependent parasites>
a) one degraded from the normal moral standard
b) a sexual pervert
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de·gen·er·ate1 (de-jenґer-āt) to change from a higher to a lower type or form.Medical dictionary. 2011.