Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Degraded \De*grad"ed\, a.
   1. Reduced in rank, character, or reputation; debased;
      sunken; low; base.

            The Netherlands . . . were reduced practically to a
            very degraded condition.              --Motley.

   2. (Biol.) Having the typical characters or organs in a
      partially developed condition, or lacking certain parts.

            Some families of plants are degraded dicotyledons.
                                                  --Dana.

   3. [Cf. F. degr['e] step.] (Her.) Having steps; -- said of a
      cross each of whose extremities finishes in steps growing
      larger as they leave the center; -- termed also on
      degrees.

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®

degraded
     adj 1: unrestrained by convention or morality; "Congreve draws a
            debauched aristocratic society"; "deplorably
            dissipated and degraded"; "riotous living"; "fast
            women" [syn: {debauched}, {degenerate}, {dissipated},
            {dissolute}, {libertine}, {profligate}, {riotous}, {fast}]
     2: lowered in value; "the dollar is low"; "a debased currency"
        [syn: {debased}, {devalued}]