degeneracy

[ dih-jen-er-uh-see ]

/ dɪˈdʒɛn ər ə si /

degenerate state or character.

the process of degenerating; decline.

degenerate behavior, especially behavior considered sexually deviant.

Physics. the number of distinct quantum states of a system that have a given energy.

Origin of degeneracy

First recorded in 1655–65; degener(ate) + -acy

non·de·gen·er·a·cy, noun, plural non·de·gen·er·a·cies. pre·de·gen·er·a·cy, noun un·de·gen·er·a·cy, noun

My father is convinced that everything I wear is newly bought, another marker in my ongoing pattern of degeneracy.

The Men on the Dais |Daphne Merkin |January 2, 2009 |DAILY BEAST
Their insolence, luxury, degeneracy had gone to great lengths.

History Of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Vol. III. (of XXI.) |Thomas Carlyle
In the first scene we are introduced to two old Arcadians who hold long discourse concerning the degeneracy of the age.

Pastoral Poetry and Pastoral Drama |Walter W. Greg
A bad road is an indication and a producer of degeneracy in man and beast.

'Charge It' |Irving Bacheller

Those most conversant with the matter say that this degeneracy has been the most marked and rapid during the last fifty years.

The Prairie Farmer, Vol. 56, No. 2, January 12, 1884 |Various
Specific houses seem to have in them the very germs of immorality and degeneracy.

The Leaven in a Great City |Lillian William Betts

degeneracy

/ (dɪˈdʒɛnərəsɪ) /

the act or state of being degenerate

the process of becoming degenerate

physics the number of degenerate quantum states of a particular orbital, degree of freedom, energy level, etc