degeneracy
/dɪˈd͡ʒɛnəɹəsi/ noun
Forms degeneracies
- noun The state of being degenerate (in all senses).
- noun (neuroscience) The ability of one part of the brain to take over another's function without being overexerted.
- noun (mathematics) A limiting case of a class of objects which appears to be qualitatively different from (and usually simpler than) the rest of the class.
Synonyms
baseness depravity perversion corruption defilement degradation depravation depravedness impurity iniquity lewdity malignity misdoing misguilt obliquity peccability pollution pravity sin sinfulness degeneration decadence decadency putrefaction
Etymology
From degener(ate) + -acy.
Webster’s 1913
- noun The act of becoming degenerate; a growing worse.
- noun The state of having become degenerate; decline in good qualities; deterioration; meanness.
Etymology [From Degenerate, a.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “degeneracy”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details