ETYM Latin degeneratus, p. p. of degenerare to degenerate, cause to degenerate, from degener base, degenerate, that departs from its race or kind; de- + genus race, kind. Related to Kin relationship.
Having become worse than one's kind, or one's former state; having declined in worth; having lost in goodness; deteriorated; degraded; unworthy; base; low.