Dégrades

Dégrades is a form that can appear in French in different ways, depending on context. It is primarily a verb form of dégrader (tu dégrades), and is not commonly used as a standalone noun. When referring to the concepts described here, standard nouns and adjectives are usually dégradé/dégradés (gradient, shading) and dégradation/dégradations (deterioration, damage). The distinction between these terms is important for clarity in fields such as art, design, science, and law.

In art and design, un dégradé denotes a gradual transition between colors or tones, creating a smooth shift from one hue or value to another. This concept is central in painting, photography, textiles, and digital graphics. In digital tools, the dégradé can be linear or radial, and is often implemented as a gradient fill or gradient map. In French, the adjective dégradé is used to describe objects that show this gradual transition, such as a dégradé de gris or a dégradé coloré.

In science and mathematics, le dégradé (gradient) is a term used to describe the rate and direction of change of a scalar field. It is a vector that points toward the greatest rate of increase, and its magnitude corresponds to the rate of change. The term also appears in physics and engineering to describe spatial or temporal gradients, such as a dégradé de température (temperature gradient).

In legal and social contexts, dégradation or dégradations refer to deterioration or damage to property or reputation, often used in phrases like actes de dégradation or dégradations volontaires (vandalisms). See also: dégradé, dégradation, gradient.