2022-02-03 ศัพท์ น่าสับสน - Set – D - degenerate & deteriorates + degrade & downgrade

Revision D

2022-02-03

ศัพท์ น่าสับสน - Set – D - degenerate & deteriorates + degrade & downgrade

แนะนำการใช้ ตามที่ส่วนใหญ่ใช้ แต่ละท้องถิ่น 

ความหมาย อาจผันแปร ตาม ตำแหน่ง/หน้าที่ ในประโยค

Dictionary.com:

ออกเสียง degenerate – verb = “dih-JEN-u.h-reyt” 

    – adj +noun  “dih-JEN-er-it”

ออกเสียง deteriorates = “dih-TEER-ee-uh-reyt”

 

Dictionary of Problem Words and Expressions:

degenerate & deteriorates

These words mean 

“to make or become worse,” 

“to decline in physical, moral, or mental qualities.”

 

Degenerate suggests that a decline is due to some loss of virtue or worthwhile quality, 

 

whereas deterioratehas more the meaning 

of “to wear away” 

or “to weaken”: 

“This able official deteriorated into a pompous loudmouth.” 

“The argument deteriorated into name-calling and squabbling.”

“A degenerate treasurer managed to deteriorate the cash position of his company.”

 

Common Errors in English Usage Dictionary

Degrade & degenerate & downgrade

Many people use “downgrade” instead of “denigrate” 

to mean “defame, slander.” 

“Downgrade” is entirely different in meaning. 

 

When something is downgraded,

it is lowered in grade (usually made worse), not just considered worse.

 “When the president of the company fled to Rio with fifteen million dollars, its bonds were downgraded to junk bond status.” 

                                                                                                      

“Degrade” is much more flexible in meaning. 

It can mean to lower in status or rank (like “downgrade") 

or to corrupt or make contemptible; 

but it always has to do with actual reduction in value 

rather than mere insult, like “denigrate.” 

 

Most of the time when people use “downgrade” 

they would be better offinstead using “insult,” “belittle,” or “sneer at.” 

 

While we’re at it, let’s distinguish 

between “deprecate,” meaning “disapprove,” and “depreciate,” 

which, like “downgrade” is not a mere matter of approval or opinion 

but signifies an actual lowering of value. 

 

Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

History and Etymology for deteriorate

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) 

 

Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

Choose the Right Synonym for degenerate

Adjective

Vicious, Villainous, Iniquitous, Nefarious, Corrupt, Degenerate 

mean highly reprehensible or offensive in character, nature, or conduct.

Vicious may directly oppose virtuous in implying moral depravity, 

or may connote malignancy, cruelty, or destructive violence.  

a vicious gangster

Villainous applies to any evil, depraved, or vile conduct or characteristic.  

a villainous assault

Iniquitous implies absence of all signs of justice or fairness.  

an iniquitous system of taxation

Nefarious suggests flagrant breaching of time-honored laws and traditions of conduct.  

the nefarious rackets of organized crime

Corrupt stresses a loss of moral integrity or probity causing betrayal of principle or sworn obligations.  

city hall was rife with corrupt politicians

Degenerate suggests having sunk to an especially vicious or enervated condition.  

a degenerate regime propped up by foreign powers