資料來源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Deteriorate \De*te"ri*o*rate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
   {Deteriorated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Deteriorating}.] [L.
   deterioratus, p. p. of deteriorate to deteriorate, fr.
   deterior worse, prob. a comparative fr. de down, away.]
   To make worse; to make inferior in quality or value; to
   impair; as, to deteriorate the mind. --Whately.

         The art of war . . . was greatly deteriorated.
                                                  --Southey.