DEGENERATION

degeneration, retrogression

(noun) passing from a more complex to a simpler biological form

degeneration, devolution

(noun) the process of declining from a higher to a lower level of effective power or vitality or essential quality

degeneracy, degeneration, decadence, decadency

(noun) the state of being degenerate in mental or moral qualities

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

degeneration (usually uncountable, plural degenerations)

(uncountable) The process or state of growing worse, or the state of having become worse.

(uncountable) That condition of a tissue or an organ in which its vitality has become either diminished or perverted; a substitution of a lower for a higher form of structure.

(uncountable) Gradual deterioration, from natural causes, of any class of animals or plants or any particular organ or organs; hereditary degradation of type.

(countable) A thing that has degenerated.

Synonyms

• (process or state of growing worse): decline, degradation, debasement, degeneracy, deterioration

• (gaming slang): nerf

Source: Wiktionary

De*gen`er*a"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. dégénération.]

1. The act or state of growing worse, or the state of having become worse; decline; degradation; debasement; degeneracy; deterioration. Our degeneration and apostasy. Bates.

2. (Physiol.)

Definition: That condition of a tissue or an organ in which its vitality has become either diminished or perverted; a substitution of a lower for a higher form of structure; as, fatty degeneration of the liver.

3. (Biol.)

Definition: A gradual deterioration, from natural causes, of any class of animals or plants or any particular or organs; hereditary degradation of type.

4. The thing degenerated. [R.] Cockle, aracus, . . . and other degenerations. Sir T. Browne. Amyloid degeneration, Caseous degeneration, etc. See under Amyloid, Caseous, etc.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition