Degraded: meaning, definitions and examples
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degraded
[ dɪˈɡreɪdɪd ]
social status
To degrade means to lower in dignity or estimation. It often refers to a decline in quality, value, or status. The term can also involve the stripping away of respect, leading to an idea of humiliation or loss of worth. This action might apply to both individuals and institutions.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- She felt degraded after the insult.
- The scandal degraded the politician's reputation.
- Environmental pollution has degraded the quality of the air.
environmental quality
As an adjective, degraded describes something that has deteriorated or worsened over time. This often refers to environmental conditions, indicating harm caused to natural ecosystems or habitats. Degraded areas exhibit reduced functionality or biodiversity due to various human activities.
Synonyms
damaged, deteriorated, ruined.
Examples of usage
- The degraded landscape showed signs of pollution.
- Efforts are being made to restore degraded habitats.
- Degraded forests no longer support wildlife.
Translations
Translations of the word "degraded" in other languages:
🇵🇹 degradado
🇮🇳 अवनति
🇩🇪 degradiert
🇮🇩 degradasi
🇺🇦 деградований
🇵🇱 zdegradowany
🇯🇵 劣化した
🇫🇷 dégradé
🇪🇸 degradado
🇹🇷 degrade
🇰🇷 퇴화된
🇸🇦 متدهور
🇨🇿 degradovaný
🇸🇰 degradovaný
🇨🇳 退化的
🇸🇮 degradiran
🇮🇸 niðurgenginn
🇰🇿 деградацияланған
🇬🇪 დეგრადირებული
🇦🇿 deqradasiya olunmuş
🇲🇽 degradado
Etymology
The term 'degraded' originates from the Latin word 'degradare', which means 'to lower, to demean'. This Latin term combines the prefix 'de-', indicating removal or reversal, with 'gradus', meaning step or degree. The word evolved through Old French 'degrader' before entering the English language in the early 18th century. Initially, it held a strong connotation related to moral or social status, often employed in contexts addressing shame or loss of reputation. Over time, its usage broadened to encompass physical and environmental decline, such as in reference to ecological degradation. Today, 'degraded' is commonly used in both social sciences and environmental discussions, highlighting its relevance in contemporary discourse.