the.com/degradation
The slow-motion downgrade where something proud quietly becomes something pitiable.
means The process of declining in quality, condition, dignity, or status over time.
from From Latin degradare, to step down — de (down) plus gradus (step), literally being demoted off the staircase you climbed.
Military rootOnce meant publicly stripping a soldier of rank.
Chemistry tooMolecules degrade, breaking into smaller, simpler pieces.
Original sinEarly use described demoting clergy from holy office.