What does "degeneration" mean?
Degeneration: (Physiol.) That condition of a tissue or an organ in which its vitality has become either diminished or perverted; a substitution of a lower for a higher form of structure; as, fatty degeneration of the liver.
Additional senses
- 2.(Biol.) A gradual deterioration, from natural causes, of any class of animals or plants or any particular or organs; hereditary degradation of type.
- 3.The thing degenerated. [R.] Cockle, aracus, . . . and other degenerations. Sir T. Browne. Amyloid degeneration, Caseous degeneration, etc. See under Amyloid, Caseous, etc.
Sources
- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
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- Published: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00 · Modified: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00