degradable
UK[dɪˈɡreɪdəbl̩]US[dɪˈɡreɪdəbl̩]
adj
Capable of being broken down into simpler, harmless substances by natural biological or chemical processes.
Morpheme Breakdown
de
grad
able
de
down, away
grad
step, rank
able
capable of
Etymology
The word "degradable" is a modern scientific formation built upon the classical Latin root gradus, meaning "step." The prefix de- implies a downward movement, originally giving "degrade" the sense of "to lower in rank or status," as if stepping someone down. The suffix -able was then appended to create an adjective meaning "capable of being lowered or broken down." In contemporary environmental science, this literal sense of "stepping down" has been metaphorically extended to describe materials that can be chemically or biologically reduced from a complex state to simpler, harmless components, effectively "stepping down" their molecular structure.
Analysis
Structure: de (down, away) + grad (step, rank) + able (capable of)
- de: A Latin prefix meaning "down," "away," or "off." It indicates reversal or removal.
- grad: From Latin gradus, meaning "step" or "rank." It forms the core of words related to stepping, progressing, or having a degree.
- able: A suffix of Latin origin (via French -able) meaning "capable of," "fit for," or "tending to."
Examples
The company switched to using fully degradable packaging materials.
Not all plastics are biodegradable, but some are photodegradable, breaking down with sunlight.
For a cleaner environment, we should prioritize products made from degradable substances.