The Definition Of Degenerate

  

Definition of Degenerate. Degenerate is used in quantum mechanics to mean 'of equal energy.' It usually refers to electron energy levels or sublevels. For example, orbitals in the 2p sublevel are degenerate - in other words the 2p x, 2p y, and 2p z orbitals are equal in energy, as shown in the diagram. Some common synonyms of degenerate are corrupt, iniquitous, nefarious, vicious, and villainous. While all these words mean 'highly reprehensible or offensive in character, nature, or conduct,' degenerate suggests having sunk to an especially vicious or enervated condition. A degenerate regime propped up.

late 15c., 'having lost or suffered impairment to the qualities proper to the race or kind,' from Latin degeneratus, past participle of degenerare 'to be inferior to one's ancestors, to become unlike one's race or kind, fall from ancestral quality,' used of physical as well as moral qualities, from phrase de genere, from de 'off, away from' (see de-) + genus (genitive generis) 'birth, descent' (from PIE root *gene- 'give birth, beget').

Of things, 'unworthy, debased, having fallen in quality or passed to an inferior state,' from 1550s. The noun, 'one who has degenerated,' is from 1550s. Related: Degenerately; degenerateness.

The Definition Of Degenerate

degenerate (v.)

1540s, 'to lose or suffer impairment to the qualities proper to the race or kind,' also figurative, 'decay in quality, pass to an inferior state,' from Latin degeneratus, past participle of degenerare 'to be inferior to one's ancestors, to become unlike one's race or kind, fall from ancestral quality,' used of physical as well as moral qualities, from phrase de genere, from de 'off, away from' (see de-) + genus (genitive generis) 'birth, descent' (from PIE root *gene- 'give birth, beget'). Figurative sense of 'to fall off, decline' was in Latin. Related: Degenerated; degenerating.

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The Definition Of Degenerate

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degenerate into (something)

To get worse and enter an unpleasant state. Concerts always seem to degenerate into chaos once it's time to leave the venue.If you don't exercise regularly, your muscles will degenerate into mush.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

degenerate into something

to decay into something; to break down into something. The peace rally degenerated into a riot.I was afraid that the party would degenerate into a drinking contest.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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