Breaking down of French peer group (12)

I believe the answer is:

degeneration

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'breaking down' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how they can define each other.

'of french peer group' is the wordplay.
'of french' becomes 'de' ('of' in French).
'peer group' becomes 'generation' (I've seen this before).
'de'+'generation'='DEGENERATION'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for degeneration that I've seen before include "Degradation" , "Decadence" , "Atrophy" , "The decline" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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