degeneration

Noun
  1. The process of declining from a higher to a lower level of effective power or vitality or essential quality (synset 113481502)
    is a type of: physical process, process - a sustained phenomenon or one marked by gradual changes through a series of states
    subtypes:
    • attack - the onset of a corrosive or destructive process (as by a chemical agent)
    • obsolescence - the process of becoming obsolete; falling into disuse or becoming out of date
    • macular degeneration - eye disease caused by degeneration of the cells of the macula lutea and results in blurred vision; can cause blindness
    same as: devolution
  2. The state of being degenerate in mental or moral qualities (synset 114464341)
    is a type of: abasement, abjection, degradation - a low or downcast state
    same as: decadence, decadency, degeneracy
  3. Passing from a more complex to a simpler biological form (synset 107441493)
    is a type of: shift, transformation, transmutation - a qualitative change
    subtypes:
    • abiotrophy - a loss of vitality and a degeneration of cells and tissues not due to any apparent injury
    • cataplasia - (biology) degenerative reversion of cells or tissue to a less differentiated or more primitive form
    same as: retrogression

Other Searches