degeneratus
The English word 'degenerate' translates to the Latin adjective degeneratus, meaning having deteriorated, degraded or fallen from normal.
Meaning: having deteriorated, degraded or fallen from normal (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is built from the prefix de-, which indicates a movement away from or a downward motion from a previous state.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, the form must agree in gender with the noun it modifies. degenerata is the feminine singular form. The form degeneratum is used when modifying a neuter noun. The form degenerati is used when modifying a masculine plural noun.
Did you know?
- The word shares a root with genius, which in Latin originally referred to the guardian spirit of a person's specific nature and ancestry.
- While the English 'degenerate' often implies a moral failing, the Latin degeneratus was frequently used to describe a biological or physical anomaly that deviated from its natural species.
- The root genus in degeneratus refers to a family, race or kind. To be degeneratus originally meant to be 'born away' from one's ancestors or to fail to live up to the standards of one's noble lineage.
Examples in context
- Ille homo est degener.That man is a degenerate.
- Ille est perversus.He is a degenerate.
- Corruptus est animus eius.His mind is degenerate.
- vultus degeneratus videtur.The face looks degraded.
- mos degeneratus est.The custom is fallen from its former state.
Example conversation
Aurelia and Quintus discuss the decline of a local tradition.
- AureliaHaec festa iam degeneratus sunt.These festivals have already become degenerate.
- QuintusCur ita dicis, Aurelia?Why do you say that, Aurelia?
- AureliaNemo iam rituum antiquorum memor est.No one remembers the ancient rites anymore.
- QuintusDoceo te hunc motum non esse degeneratus.I tell you that this movement is not degenerate.
