The term “degener” is an obsolete verb rooted in early English usage, associated with degeneration or decline. While no longer common in modern language, its historical usage offers insight into its meaning and application.

What Type of Word is “Degener”?

“Degener” is a verb used intransitively. It shares its root meaning with the more familiar term “degenerate.”

Pronunciation of “Degener”

• British English:
  /ˈdɛdʒənər/
  Pronounced as: DEJ-uh-ner
• American English:
  /ˈdɛdʒənɚ/
  Pronounced as: DEJ-uh-ner

Rhyming Words:

• Enter
• Render
• Tender
• Gender

Meaning and Use of “Degener”

Intransitive Verb:

1. To degenerate or decline:
   • To deteriorate in quality, virtue, or condition; to become less noble, pure, or effective.
     Example:
     “Over time, the structure degenered from its former magnificence.”
2. To fall away from one’s inherent nature or kind:
   • Often used metaphorically to describe deviation from an original or intended state.
     Example:
     “Do not degener from the values instilled by your ancestors.”

Etymology of “Degener”

The verb “degener” comes from the Latin root “dēgenerāre”, meaning “to deteriorate or decline.” Its earliest English usage can be traced back to the early 16th century, with frequent appearances in literary and religious texts.

Earliest Known Use:

• c. 1522: In Gavin Douglas’s Eneados, translating Virgil:
  “That thou was degenerit owt of kynd.”

Examples of “Degener” in Historical Texts

1. Gavin Douglas’s Eneados (1522):
   “That thou was degenerit owt of kynd.”
   (You were degenerated out of kind/nature.)
2. G. Joye’s Exposicion of Daniel (1545):
   “Ye chirche..degenered miche from hir first beutye.”
   (The church… degenerated much from her first beauty.)
3. Spenser’s Faerie Queene (1611):
   “They into that ere long will be degenered.”
   (They will soon degenerate into that state.)
4. I. S., Scoticlassicum (1650):
   “Degener not from your Forebe’ers.”
   (Do not degenerate from your forebears.)

Synonyms for “Degener”

Historical and Modern Synonyms:

• Degenerate
• Decline
• Wane
• Regress
• Deteriorate
• Descend

Compounds and Derived Words

• Degeneration: The process or state of degenerating.
• Degenerate: The modern equivalent of “degener,” used as both a verb and adjective.
• Degenerative: Describing a condition or process of decline or deterioration.

Obsolescence of “Degener”

While “degener” was widely used in earlier English, it became obsolete by the mid-17th century, replaced by “degenerate” and related forms. Modern usage no longer includes “degener,” though it remains a linguistic relic in historical literature.

Conclusion

Although “degener” is no longer in common usage, its historical significance and connection to words like “degenerate” illustrate its roots in describing moral, physical, or structural decline. Understanding its origins provides a glimpse into the evolution of English vocabulary and its enduring themes of change and deterioration.

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