degrade
UK[dɪˈɡreɪd]US[dɪˈɡreɪd]
v
to make the quality of something worse
v
to treat someone without respect and make them lose respect for themselves
v
to change to a simpler chemical structure
Morpheme Breakdown
de
grade
de
down, away
grade
step, rank
Etymology
the word degrade is built from two latin elements. the prefix 'de-' conveys a sense of downward motion or reversal, while the root 'grade' stems from 'gradus', meaning a step or rank. literally, the combination suggests a movement down the steps or a reduction in rank. this concrete image of descending a staircase evolved into the modern abstract meanings of reducing quality, dignity, or complexity, capturing the concept of a decline from a higher to a lower state.
Analysis
Structure: de (down, away) + grade (step, rank)
de- (latin origin, a prefix meaning 'down from', 'away', or indicating reversal); grade (latin origin, from 'gradus' meaning 'step', 'rank', or 'degree')
Examples
plastic bags can take centuries to degrade in the environment.
his cruel comments were meant to degrade his opponents.
enzymes help to degrade complex proteins into simpler amino acids.