degrader

de·grade

 (dĭ-grād′)

v. de·grad·ed, de·grad·ing, de·grades

v.tr.

1. To lower in quality or value; make inferior or less valuable: land that was degraded by overgrazing; a virus that degrades the computer's performance.

2. To lower in dignity; dishonor or disgrace: seemed to feel that he was degrading himself in accepting the invitation. See Synonyms at debase.

3. To reduce in grade, rank, or status; demote.

4. Geology To lower or wear away by erosion or weathering.

5. To cause (an organic compound) to undergo degradation.

v.intr.

1. To fall to a lower rank or status.

2. To undergo degradation; decompose: a chemical that degrades rapidly.

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[Middle English degraden, from Old French degrader, from Late Latin dēgradāre : Latin dē-, de- + Latin gradus, step; see ghredh- in Indo-European roots.]

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de·grad′er n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

degrader - a person who lowers the quality or character or value (as by adding cheaper metal to coins) debaser individual, mortal, person, somebody, someone, soul - a human being; "there was too much for one person to do" vulgariser, vulgarizer - someone who makes something vulgar

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.