Webster's English Dictionary

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degeneration

Cross references:
  1. deterioration         
 
de.gen.er.a.tion \di-.jen-*-'ra--sh*n, .de--\ n 1: a lowering of effective 
   power, vitality, or essential quality to an enfe ebled and worsened kind or 
   state 2a: intellectual or moral decline  2b: degenerate condition  3a: 
   progressive deterioration of physical characters from a level represent ing 
   the norm of earlier generations or forms 3b: deterioration of a tissue or 
   an organ in which its vitality is diminish ed or its structure impaired 4: 
   marked decline in excellence (as of workmanship or originality)