词典释义：
[with obj.]treat or regard (someone) with contempt or disrespect
侮辱；轻视
-
she thought that many supposedly erotic pictures degraded women .她觉得许多据说是色情的画侮辱了女性。
lower the character or quality of
降低…的品质（或质量），损害
-
vast areas of natural habitats have been degraded .大面积的自然栖息地已遭到破坏。
〈古〉 （尤指作为惩罚）把（某人）降级（或贬职）
-
he was degraded from his high estate .他被从高位上贬级。
break down or deteriorate chemically
降解
-
[no obj.]
when exposed to light the materials will degrade 暴露在阳光下时这些物质会降解
-
[with obj.]
the bacteria will degrade hydrocarbons .细菌会降解碳氢化合物。
[with obj.]
【物理】 使（能量）衰变。
[with obj.]
【地质】 使（岩石）陵削（或减削）。
"late Middle English： from Old French
