vt.

1. 使降级；降低……的地位
   He was degraded for disobeying orders.

   他因不服从命令而受到降级处分。

2. 降低……的品格（或质量、价值等）；使丢脸
   He degraded himself by cheating and telling lies.

   他因欺骗、撒谎而损害了自己的人格。

3. 【化】使降解
4. 【地】使陵削，剥蚀

vi.

1. 降低；降级

v.

1. cause to suffer a severe loss of dignity or respect; demean.
   ▸lower the character or quality of.
   ▸archaic reduce to a lower rank, especially as a punishment.
2. cause to break down or deteriorate chemically.
   ▸Physics  reduce (energy) to a less readily convertible form.