DEGRADATION

degradation (deg-r<<schwa>>-day-sh<<schwa>>n).1. A reduction in rank, degree, or dignity;

specif., censure of a clergy member by divestiture of holy orders, either by word or by a solemn

divestiture  of  robes  and  other  insignia.  Cf.  DEPOSITION(4);  DEPRIVATION(4).2.  A  moral  or

intellectual  decadence  or  degeneration;  a  lessening  of  a  person’s  or  thing’s  character  or  quality

<degradation of resources>.3. A wearing down of something, as by erosion. [Blacks Law 8th]