a. [ L. degeneratus, p. p. of degenerare to degenerate, cause to degenerate, fr. degener base, degenerate, that departs from its race or kind; de- + genus race, kind. See Kin relationship. ] Having become worse than one's kind, or one's former state; having declined in worth; having lost in goodness; deteriorated; degraded; unworthy; base; low. [ 1913 Webster ]
Faint-hearted and degenerate king. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
A degenerate and degraded state. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
Degenerate from their ancient blood. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]
These degenerate days. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]
I had planted thee a noble vine . . . : how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me? Jer. ii. 21. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. i.
When wit transgresseth decency, it degenerates into insolence and impiety. Tillotson. [ 1913 Webster ]
n.
adv. In a degenerate manner; unworthily. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. Degeneracy. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t.
Whatever generates a quantity of good chyle must likewise generate milk. Arbuthnot. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t.
Those noble habits are ingenerated in the soul. Sir M. Hale. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ L. ingeneratus, p. p. of ingenerare. See engender ] Generated within; inborn; innate;
Those virtues were rather feigned and affected . . . than true qualities ingenerate in his judgment. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t. [ L. progeneratus, p. p. of progenerare to beget; pro forth, forward + generare to generate. ] To beget; to generate; to produce; to procreate;
a. [ L. regeneratus, p. p. of regenerare to regenerate; pref. re- re- + generare to beget. See Generate. ]
The earthly author of my blood,
Whose youthful spirit, in me regenerate,
Doth with a twofold vigor lift me up. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t.
Through all the soil a genial fferment spreads.
Regenerates the plauts, and new adorns the meads. Blackmore. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. The quality or state of being rgenerate. [ 1913 Webster ]