degrade
UK/dɪ'greɪd/US/di'greid/
IELTSTOEFLC2
Definitions
v.
To lower in quality, rank, or condition.
降低质量；降级。
v.
To treat someone with contempt; to humiliate.
贬低，侮辱。
v.
(Chemistry) to break down into simpler substances.
（化学）使分解，降解。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedde- (down) + grade (the grad- form, 'a step/rank') = to step down a rank. From lowering rank it extended to lowering quality (signal degrades), lowering dignity (degrading treatment), and chemically breaking down (plastics degrade).
Root gress still carries 64 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.degrade quality降低质量
- 2.degrade performance降低性能
Example Sentences
- 1.
Repeated copying degrades the image quality.
- 2.
The prisoners were treated in degrading conditions.
- 3.
These materials degrade harmlessly in soil.