As nouns the difference between degenerate and sap
is that
degenerate is one is degenerate, who has fallen from previous stature while
sap is wax.
As an adjective degenerate
is (of qualities) having deteriorated, degraded or fallen from normal, coherent, balanced and desirable to undesirable and typically abnormal.
As a verb degenerate
is to lose good or desirable qualities.