Degradation, Degrade, Degrading

DEGRADATION - Ecclesiastical Law. A censure by which a clergyman is deprived of his holy orders, which he had as a priest or deacon.

DEGRADE, DEGRADING - To, sink or lower a person in the estimation of the public.

As a man's character is of great importance to him, and it is his interest to retain the good opinion of all mankind, when he is a witness, he cannot be compelled to disclose any matter which would tend to disgrace or degrade him. However, a question having that tendency may be asked, and the answer is conclusive when the witness chooses to answer it.
   

This entry contains material from Bouvier's Legal Dictionary, a work published in the 1850's.