acid-degrading
|as-id-de-grad-ing|
/ˈæsɪd dɪˈɡreɪdɪŋ/
broken down by or breaking down acid
Etymology
'acid-degrading' is formed from 'acid' + 'degrading'. 'acid' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'acidus', where 'acidus' meant 'sour'. 'degrade' originates from Latin via Old French 'degrad(er)', where the prefix 'de-' meant 'down' or 'away' and 'grad-' (from Latin 'gradus') related to 'step' or 'degree'; in chemical contexts 'degrade' came to mean 'to break down'.
'acid' entered English from Latin 'acidus' (via Old French and Medieval Latin) and kept the sense of 'sour'. 'degrade' entered English from Old French 'degrader' (from Medieval Latin 'degradare') and evolved in scientific usage to mean chemical breakdown; the compound 'acid-degrading' is a modern English compound created by combining the noun 'acid' with the present participle 'degrading'.
Originally, 'acid' simply meant 'sour' and 'degrade' meant 'reduce in rank' or 'lower'; in modern scientific usage 'degrade' has shifted toward 'cause to break down chemically', so 'acid-degrading' now commonly denotes either causing acids to break down or being broken down by acids depending on context.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
capable of breaking down acidic compounds or causing the chemical decomposition of acids (often used of enzymes, microbes, or chemical agents).
Researchers isolated an acid-degrading bacterium that can neutralize industrial waste acids.
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Adjective 2
subject to decomposition or damage by acid; liable to be degraded when exposed to acidic conditions (often used of materials or compounds).
Certain pigments are acid-degrading and lose color when exposed to low pH.
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Last updated: 2025/08/28 03:25