Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Degeneration
De-genˊer-a′tion
,Noun.
[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.)
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 liver3.
(Biol.)
A gradual deterioration, from natural causes, of any class of animals or plants or any particular organ or organs; hereditary degradation of type.
Webster 1828 Edition
Degeneration
DEGENERATION
,Noun.
1.
A growing worse, or losing of good qualities; a decline from the virtue and worth of ancestors; a decay of the natural good qualities of the species; a falling from a more excellent state to one of less worth, either in the natural or moral world.2.
The thing degenerated.