deteriorate

One entry found for deteriorate.

Main Entry: de·te·ri·o·rate
Pronunciation: di-'tir-E-&-"rAt, dE-
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): -rat·ed; -rat·ing
Etymology: Late Latin deterioratus, past participle of deteriorare, from Latin deterior worse, from de- + -ter (suffix as in Latin uter which of two) + -ior (comparative suffix) -- more at WHETHER, -ER
transitive verb
1 : to make inferior in quality or value : IMPAIR
2 : DISINTEGRATE
intransitive verb : to become impaired in quality, functioning, or condition : DEGENERATE <allowed a tradition of academic excellence to deteriorate> <his health deteriorated>
- de·te·ri·o·ra·tive /-"rA-tiv/ adjective