Degradation: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Latin 'degradare', meaning 'to step down' or 'to lower'.
• In English, it first appeared in the mid-15th century, originally in a legal context referring to a loss of rank or status.

Environmental Science

• Degradation often refers to environmental harm, such as soil degradation, which affects agriculture and ecosystems.
• Plastic pollution is a significant form of degradation; plastics can break down into microplastics that harm marine life.

Literature

• Various authors have used degradation as a theme to explore moral and social decline, often depicting characters who undergo a significant loss of dignity.
• In dystopian fiction, societal degradation often serves as a warning about the consequences of political corruption and neglect.

Psychology

• In psychological terms, self-degradation can refer to a person's negative self-talk, leading to lowered self-esteem.
• Studies show that experiencing social degradation can lead to increased anxiety and depression.

Cultural Perspectives

• In many cultures, degradation can be seen as a moral or ethical decline, impacting community values and behavior.
• Certain movements aim to counteract cultural degradation by promoting the arts and preserving traditional practices.

At #5,260 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

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• 5257 directing
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• 5260 degradation
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• 5263 specialists
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