| degeneratio | Synonym: degeneration. Origin: L. Degenero, pp. -atus, fr. De, from, + genus, race (05 Mar 2000) |
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| degeneration | An effect whereby the productivity of a microbial strain used in a commercial process diminishes after repeated transfer from one culture media to another, often caused by genetic mutation. (14 Nov 1997) |
| degenerationist | <biology> A believer in the theory of degeneration, or hereditary degradation of type; as, the degenerationists hold that savagery is the result of degeneration from a superior state. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |