De‐grad″ed (?), a. 1. Reduced in rank, character, or reputation; debased; sunken; low; base.
The Netherlands... were reduced practically to a very degraded condition. Motley.
2. (Biol.) Having the typical characters or organs in a partially developed condition, or lacking certain parts.
Some families of plants are degraded dicotyledons. Dana.
3. [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.