degrade

Where does the word "degrade" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin degradare, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).

Degrade’s story begins in Medieval Latin: degradare meant “to step down, to reduce rank.” To step down, to reduce in rank, from de- (down) and gradus (a step). It reached English by 1400s as degrade. Settled as the English word for lowering someone's status, or reducing quality. Today, degrade means to lower someone in status or dignity, or to reduce the quality of something.

1. Stage 1 · Medieval Latin · medieval degradare "to step down, to reduce rank", to step down, to reduce in rank, from de- (down) and gradus (a step).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1400s degrade "to lower someone's status, or reduce quality", settled as the English word for lowering someone's status, or reducing quality.