becoming worse in quality, condition, or health; declining or degrading over time.
From Latin 'deteriorare' combining 'de-' (down) and 'terior' (worse), plus '-ate' forming a verb meaning 'to make worse,' with the present participle '-ing' form.
The word 'deteriorate' has a partner root in 'exterior' (outer) and 'interior' (inner)—all from Latin 'terior,' showing how ancient languages let philosophers compare inner and outer qualities.
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