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cheapen

 - 2 dictionary results

cheap⋅en

  [chee-puhn]
Use cheapen in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to make cheap or cheaper.
2. to lower in esteem; bring into contempt: Constant swearing cheapened him.
3. to decrease the quality or beauty of; make inferior or vulgar: She cheapened the dress by adding a fringe to it.
4. Archaic. to bargain for.
–verb (used without object)
5. to become cheap or cheaper.
Origin:
1555–65; cheap + -en 1 ; r. ME chepen (> obs. E cheap (v.)) to price, bargain, OE cēapian to bargain, trade, buy; c. ON kaupa, Goth kaupōn, G kaufen

Related forms:
cheap⋅en⋅er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To cheapen
cheap·en   (chē'pən)   
v.   cheap·ened, cheap·en·ing, cheap·ens

v.   tr.

  1. To make cheap or cheaper.

  2. To lower in public estimation; debase or degrade: misconduct that cheapened a high office.

v.   intr.
To become cheap or cheaper.
cheap'en·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.
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