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debased

 - 3 dictionary results

de⋅base

[di-beys]
–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


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


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 debased
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.
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Word Origin & History

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