degenerativeadj.
/dɪˈdʒɛnərətɪv/ Of the nature of, or tending to, degeneration.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > worse > [adjective] > making or tending to
downhill1565
declining1597
deformative1641
deteriorative1800
exhaustive1817
worsening1835
deteriorating1836
degenerative1846
the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > worse > [adjective] > tending to > degenerate
degenerative1846
degeneratory1876
1846 J. E. Worcester Universal Dict. Eng. Lang. (citing Monthly Rev.).
1890 E. R. Lankester Advancem. Sci. i. 46 Degenerative evolution.
1890 G. M. Humphry Old Age 149 Other degenerative changes, such as calcification of the costal cartilages.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online September 2021).
<
adj.1846