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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
de·base    Audio Help   [di-beys] Pronunciation Key
–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- + base2; cf. abase]

—Related forms
de·bas·ed·ness    Audio Help   [di-bey-sid-nis, -beyst-] Pronunciation Key, 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 (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
debase

To learn more about debase visit Britannica.com

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
de·base    Audio Help   (dĭ-bās')  Pronunciation Key 
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.
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
debase 
1568, from base "low," on analogy of abase.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
debase

verb
1. corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality; "debauch the young people with wine and women"; "Socrates was accused of corrupting young men"; "Do school counselors subvert young children?"; "corrupt the morals" 
2. lower in value by increasing the base-metal content 
3. corrupt, debase, or make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance; often by replacing valuable ingredients with inferior ones; "adulterate liquor" [syn: load] 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.

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