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 ]