baseness - Definitions from Dictionary.com

4 results for: baseness

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

base2

Audio Help [beys] Pronunciation Key adjective, bas·er, bas·est, noun

–adjective

1.	morally low; without estimable personal qualities; dishonorable; meanspirited; selfish; cowardly.

2.	of little or no value; worthless: hastily composed of base materials.

3.	debased or counterfeit: an attempt to eliminate the base coinage.

4.	characteristic of or befitting an inferior person or thing.

5.	of illegitimate birth.

6.	not classical or refined: base language.

7.	Old English Law. held by tenure less than freehold in return for a service viewed as somewhat demeaning to the tenant.

Archaic.

a.	of humble origin or station.

b.	of small height.

c.	low in place, position, or degree: base servitude.

9.	Obsolete. deep or grave in sound; bass: the base tones of a piano.

–noun

10.	Music Obsolete. bass¹ (defs. 3, 4).

[Origin: 1350–1400; ME bas < OF < LL bassus low, short, perh. of Oscan orig.

]

—Related forms

basely, adverb

baseness, noun

—Synonyms 1. despicable, contemptible. See mean². 2. poor, inferior, cheap, tawdry. 3. fake, spurious. 4. servile, ignoble, abject, slavish, menial.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
baseness

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

base² Audio Help (bās) Pronunciation Key
adj. bas·er, bas·est

1. Having or showing a contemptible, mean-spirited, or selfish lack of human decency. See Synonyms at mean².
2. Devoid of high values or ethics: a base, degrading way of life.
3. Inferior in value or quality.
Containing inferior substances: a base metal.
Archaic Of low birth, rank, or position.
Obsolete Short in stature.

n. Obsolete
A bass singer or voice.

[Middle English bas, low, from Old French, from Medieval Latin bassus.]

base'ly adv., base'ness n.

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