Degraded Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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degraded
[dษชหษกreษชdษชd ]
Definitions
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
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Interesting Facts
Environmental Science
- Degraded environments can lose biodiversity, making it harder for many plants and animals to survive.
- Soil degradation, often caused by over-farming, reduces its ability to support healthy crops.
- Restoration efforts aim to reverse degradation in ecosystems by reintroducing native species and reducing pollution.
Psychology
- Degraded social conditions, like poverty or discrimination, can affect mental health and quality of life.
- Research shows that people who feel degraded in social situations may experience lower self-esteem.
- The impact of feeling degraded can lead to stress and anxiety in individuals.
Technology
- In computing, 'data degradation' refers to the loss of integrity or quality over time, similar to physical wear and tear.
- Digital files can become degraded due to corruption or outdated technology, affecting their usability.
- Efforts in data recovery focus on retrieving or reconstructing degraded files to restore their original state.
Art and Literature
- Themes of degradation often appear in dystopian literature, reflecting societal decline and moral decay.
- Artists sometimes use degraded materials to convey messages about consumerism and the environment.
- In poetry, degradation can symbolize the loss of innocence or purity.
Origin of 'degraded'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from Latin 'degradare', which means to reduce in rank or status.
- In historical texts, the term often referred to someone losing their title or position.
- The prefix 'de-' indicates removal, while 'gradus' suggests steps or degrees, indicating a downward shift.
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.