De*te"ri*o*rate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deteriorated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Deteriorating (?).] [L. deterioratus, p. p. of deteriorate to deteriorate, fr. deterior worse, prob. a comparative fr. de down, away.]

To make worse; to make inferior in quality or value; to impair; as, to deteriorate the mind.

Whately.

The art of war . . . was greatly deteriorated. Southey.

<-- p. 401 -->

© Webster 1913.

De*te"ri*o*rate (?), v. i.

To grow worse; to be impaired in quality; to degenerate.

Under such conditions, the mind rapidly deteriorates. Goldsmith.

© Webster 1913.