Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Degrade \De*grade"\, v. i. (Biol.)
   To degenerate; to pass from a higher to a lower type of
   structure; as, a family of plants or animals degrades through
   this or that genus or group of genera.

Degrade \De*grade"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Degraded}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Degrading}.] [F. d['e]grader, LL. degradare, fr. L.
   de- + gradus step, degree. See {Grade}, and cf. {Degree}.]
   1. To reduce from a higher to a lower rank or degree; to
      lower in rank; to deprive of office or dignity; to strip
      of honors; as, to degrade a nobleman, or a general
      officer.

            Prynne was sentenced by the Star Chamber Court to be
            degraded from the bar.                --Palfrey.

   2. To reduce in estimation, character, or reputation; to
      lessen the value of; to lower the physical, moral, or
      intellectual character of; to debase; to bring shame or
      contempt upon; to disgrace; as, vice degrades a man.

            O miserable mankind, to what fall Degraded, to what
            wretched state reserved!              --Milton.

            Yet time ennobles or degrades each line. --Pope.

            Her pride . . . struggled hard against this
            degrading passion.                    --Macaulay.

   3. (Geol.) To reduce in altitude or magnitude, as hills and
      mountains; to wear down.

   Syn: To abase; demean; lower; reduce. See {Abase}.

Source : WordNet®

degrade
     v 1: reduce the level of land, as by erosion [ant: {aggrade}]
     2: reduce in worth or character, usually verbally; "She tends
        to put down younger women colleagues"; "His critics took
        him down after the lecture" [syn: {take down}, {disgrace},
         {demean}, {put down}]
     3: lower the grade of something; reduce its worth [syn: {cheapen}]