Deteriority

/ˌdɛtərɪˈɔrɪti/ noun

Definition

The quality or state of being worse, inferior, or of lower value; the comparative degree of badness.

Etymology

From Latin deterioritas, from deteriorior (worse), the comparative form of deterus; -ity forms abstract nouns from adjectives.

Kelly Says

Deteriority is a rare word that medieval philosophers used when debating whether the world was actually getting worse—they'd measure 'deteriority' as a philosophical concept, trying to quantify decline itself.

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