Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

Debasement

 - 4 dictionary results

de⋅base

  [di-beys]
Use Debasement in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), -based, -bas⋅ing.
1. to reduce in quality or value; adulterate: They debased the value of the dollar.
2. to lower in rank, dignity, or significance: He wouldn't debase himself by doing manual labor.
Origin:
1555–65; de- + base 2 ; cf. abase

Related forms:
de⋅bas⋅ed⋅ness  [di-bey-sid-nis, -beyst-] , noun
de⋅base⋅ment, noun
de⋅bas⋅er, noun
de⋅bas⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. lower, vitiate, corrupt; contaminate, pollute, defile. 2. degrade, abase, demean, reduce.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Debasement
de·base   (dĭ-bās')   
tr.v.   de·based, de·bas·ing, de·bas·es
To lower in character, quality, or value; degrade. See Synonyms at adulterate, corrupt, degrade.

[de- + base2.]
de·base'ment n., de·bas'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

debase 
1568, from base "low," on analogy of abase.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Financial Dictionary

Debasement

1. To lower the value, quality or status of something or someone.

2. To lower the value (of a coin) by adding metal of inferior value.

Investopedia Commentary

In other words, debasement is the degrading of the value of something or character of someone. In the context of coins, it is the process of melting down a coin and mixing it with a lower quality metal to create additional coins of the same denomination.

Related Links

The Gold Standard Revisited

See also: Bullion, Devaluation, Dilution, Fool's Gold, Gold Standard, Precious Metals, Silver

Investopedia.com. Copyright © 1999-2005 - All rights reserved. Owned and Operated by Investopedia Inc.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see Debasement on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way