degrading
劣化する
解説 Definition
degrading は degrade（劣化させる、低下させる）の現在分詞・形容詞形です。物や状態の質がだんだん悪くなっていることを表すときに使われます。
In this sense, degrading describes a material, component, or condition that is gradually losing quality, strength, or performance. It presents deterioration as an ongoing process rather than merely stating that the object is already damaged.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
原形 degrade の語末の黙字 e を落として -ing を付けた形で、degrading となる。原形の /dɪˈɡreɪd/ に /ɪŋ/ が続き、語幹の発音は変わらない。ここでは battery、parts、road surface などが徐々に劣化している意味。人に使うと「屈辱的な」という別義があるので文脈に注意する。
Start with the verb degrade, meaning to reduce in quality or condition. To form degrading, drop the final silent e before adding -ing: degrade becomes degrading. The base is pronounced /dɪˈɡreɪd/, and adding /ɪŋ/ does not change the pronunciation of the stem. In these examples, picture an ongoing process: a battery holds less charge, machine parts wear down, or a road surface becomes unsafe. Also remember the common human-related sense “humiliating,” but use the physical decline sense when the noun refers to materials, equipment, or infrastructure.
例文
The degrading battery cannot hold a charge for long.
劣化している電池は、長く充電を保てません。
Engineers checked the degrading parts of the old machine.
技術者たちは古い機械の劣化している部品を点検しました。
The degrading road surface made the drive less safe.
劣化している路面のせいで、運転の安全性が下がりました。
degrading の類義語・関連語
degrading の語源・成り立ち Etymology
ラテン語 degradare に由来。de-（下へ）+ gradus（段階・歩み）で「段階を下げる」が原義。人の品位や価値を下げるという意味に発展した。関連語: grade（等級）、gradual（段階的な）。
Degrading is the -ing form of degrade. Degrade came through French from Late Latin degradare, formed from de-, indicating downward movement, and gradus, “step, rank, or degree.” Its earliest central idea was to lower someone in rank or status, and it later extended to reducing quality, condition, or value. In spelling, the final silent e of degrade is removed before -ing is added. Grade and gradual are related through the Latin notion of a step or degree.
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