See Also: deteriorate(dictionary)
deteriorate(dictionary)

deteriorate (iou)



deteriorate verb. Pa. pple & ppl adjective -ate (earlier), -ated. L16.
[Late Latin deteriorat- pa. ppl stem of deteriorare, from deterior worse: see -ATE3.]
verb trans. Make worse; lower in character or excellence. L16.
H. L. Mencken The accompanying hooey pollutes and deteriorates their mind.
verb intrans. Become worse; become impaired in quality or value; degenerate. L17.
D. Adams What had started out as excellent entertainment had..deteriorated into mere abuse. P. Rose His health deteriorated so badly that the East India Company gave him a medical leave.
deteriorative adjective causing or tending to deterioration E19.
deteriorator noun M19.