degenerate : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

English Dictionary: degenerate	by the DICT Development Group
3 results for degenerate
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
degenerate adj unrestrained by convention or morality; "Congreve draws a debauched aristocratic society"; "deplorably dissipated and degraded"; "riotous living"; "fast women" Synonym(s): debauched, degenerate, degraded, dissipated, dissolute, libertine, profligate, riotous, fast n a person whose behavior deviates from what is acceptable especially in sexual behavior Synonym(s): pervert, deviant, deviate, degenerate v grow worse; "Her condition deteriorated"; "Conditions in the slums degenerated"; "The discussion devolved into a shouting match" Synonym(s): devolve, deteriorate, drop, degenerate Antonym(s): convalesce, recover, recuperate
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Degenerate \Degen"erate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Degenerated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Degenerating}.] 1. To be or grow worse than one's kind, or than one was originally; hence, to be inferior; to grow poorer, meaner, or more vicious; to decline in good qualities; to deteriorate. When wit transgresseth decency, it degenerates into insolence and impiety. --Tillotson. 2. (Biol.) To fall off from the normal quality or the healthy structure of its kind; to become of a lower type.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Degenerate \Degen"erate\, a. [L. degeneratus, p. p. of degenerare to degenerate, cause to degenerate, fr. degener base, degenerate, that departs from its race or kind; de- + genus race, kind. See {Kin} relationship.] Having become worse than one's kind, or one's former state; having declined in worth; having lost in goodness; deteriorated; degraded; unworthy; base; low. Faint-hearted and degenerate king. --Shak. A degenerate and degraded state. --Milton. Degenerate from their ancient blood. --Swift. These degenerate days. --Pope. I had planted thee a noble vine . . . : how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me? --Jer. ii. 21.