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.
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© 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.