degeneration

Definitions

1. 1.(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.
2. 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. 3.The thing degenerated. [R.] Cockle, aracus, . . . and other degenerations. Sir T. Browne. Amyloid degeneration, Caseous degeneration, etc. See under Amyloid, Caseous, etc.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Related questions

• What does "degeneration" mean?

Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is degeneration.

• What is a gradual deterioration, from natural causes, of any class of animals or plants or any particular or organs; hereditary degradation of type called?
• What is the thing degenerated. [R.] Cockle, aracus, . . . and other degenerations. Sir T. Browne. Amyloid degeneration, Caseous degeneration, etc. See under Amyloid, Caseous, etc called?