Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (v. t.) To lessen in value or quality; to strip of honors; as, to degrade a nobleman, or a general officer; to reduce from a higher to a lower rank or degree; to lower in rank; to deprive of office or dignity

2. (v. t.) To reduce in estimation, character, or reputation; to lessen the value of; to lower the physical, moral, or intellectual character of; to debase; to bring shame or contempt upon; to disgrace; as, vice degrades a man.

3. (v. t.) To reduce in altitude or magnitude, as hills and mountains; to wear down.

4. (v. i.) To degenerate; to pass from a higher to a lower type of structure; as, a family of plants or animals degrades through this or that genus or group of genera.