DEGENERATE Copy link • DEGENERATE 1. v. degenerare: degenerare in feritatem (to grow wild again, of trees): degenerare a parentibus (degenerate from ancestors, of children). 2. indignus parentibus or majoribus: degener (poetical and post-classical prose; ☞ degeneratus, Valerius, Max.): a degenerate age, aetas pejor parentibus or avis (after Hor.). If “degenerate” is used vaguely to denote “corruption,” Vid: CORRUPT.