Biology dictionary

1. Reduced in rank, character, or reputation; debased; sunken; low; base. The Netherlands . . . Were reduced practically to a very degraded condition. (Motley)

2. (Science: biology) Having the typical characters or organs in a partially developed condition, or lacking certain parts. Some families of plants are degraded dicotyledons. (Dana)

3. [Cf. F. Degre step.

Having steps; said of a cross each of whose extremities finishes in steps growing larger as they leave the center; termed also on degrees.

Degraded