1 tr. reduce to a lower rank, esp. as a punishment.
2 tr. bring into dishonour or contempt.
3 tr. Chem. reduce to a simpler molecular structure.
4 tr. Physics reduce (energy) to a less convertible form.
5 tr. Geol. wear down (rocks etc.) by disintegration.
6 intr. degenerate.
7 intr. Chem. disintegrate.
Derivatives:
degradable adj. degradation n. degradative adj. degrader n.
Etymology: ME f. OF degrader f. eccl.L degradare (as DE-, L gradus step)
Useful english dictionary. 2012.