What does "degraded" mean?

Degraded: (Biol.) Having the typical characters or organs in a partially developed condition, or lacking certain parts. Some families of plants are degraded dicotyledons. Dana.

Additional senses

  1. 2.Etym: [Cf. F. degré 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.

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