degrado

degradation

noun deh-GRAH-doh Rare

Origin: From Latin degradare (to lower in rank), via the verbal noun.

Also means

urban decay

Usage Note

Degrado in Italian typically refers to the deterioration of a physical environment (degrado urbano = urban decay) or moral/social decline (degrado morale). It is not the same as English 'degree' (which is grado or laurea). The word is frequently used in news reporting about neglected public spaces.

Examples

"Il quartiere soffre di un grave degrado urbano."

Natural Translation

The neighbourhood suffers from severe urban decay.

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