1660s, "deteriorated condition, state of being degenerate;" 1670s, "tendency to decrease in excellence of essential qualities, a downward course;" see degenerate (adj.) + abstract noun suffix -cy.
moral degeneracy followed intellectual degeneration
defunct
defund
defuse
defy
degauss
degeneracy
degenerate
degeneration
degenerationist
degenerative
deglutition
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