different between discomfiture vs degradation

English

Etymology

From Old French desconfiture (“rout, defeat”); compare French déconfiture.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /d?s?k?mf?t??(?)/, /d?s?k?mf?t??/

Noun

discomfiture (countable and uncountable, plural discomfitures)

1. (obsolete) Defeat in battle
2. An emotional state similar to that arising from defeat; frustration, disappointment, perplexity or embarrassment.

Translations

English

Etymology

From French dégradationMorphologically degrade +? -ation

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?d?????de???n/
• Rhymes: -e???n

Noun

degradation (countable and uncountable, plural degradations)

1. The act of reducing in rank, character, or reputation, or of abasing; a lowering from one's standing or rank in office or society
   • 1912, Charles DeLano Hine, Letters from an old railway official: Letter 7

     This feature of good organization, the conferring of definite local superior rank, and the protection of the incumbent from unnecessary degradation, was discovered centuries ago by another effective institution, the Catholic church.

2. The state of being reduced in rank, character, or reputation; baseness; moral, physical, or intellectual degeneracy; disgrace; abasement; debasement.
3. Diminution or reduction of strength, efficacy, or value; degeneration; deterioration.
4. (geology) A gradual wearing down or wasting, as of rocks and banks, by the action of water, frost etc.
5. A deleterious change in the chemical structure, physical properties or appearance of a material from natural or artificial exposure.
6. The state or condition of a species or group which exhibits degraded forms; degeneration.
7. Arrest of development, or degeneration of any organ, or of the body as a whole.
8. The gradual breakdown of components of a material, as a result of a natural element, i.e.: heat, cold and wind.

Hyponyms

• biodegradation
• graceful degradation
• Marker degradation

Related terms

• (reducing in rank, character, or reputation): comedown
• decomposition

Translations

Anagrams

• gradationed