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   De·base

   /dēˈbās/

   

   verb

   • 1. reduce (something) in quality or value; degrade: "the love episodes debase the dignity of the drama" Similar degradedevaluedemeanlower the status ofreduce the status ofcheapenprostitutediscreditdrag downdrag through the mudtarnishblackenblemishdisgracedishonorshamebring shame tohumblehumiliatedamageharmundermineOpposite enhance
   • ▪ lower the moral character of (someone): "war debases people"
   • 2. lower the value of (coinage) by reducing the content of precious metal: historical "the King was forced to debase the coinage" Similar reduce in valuereduce in qualitycontaminateadulteratepollutetaintdefilespoilfoulsullydepreciatecorruptbastardizedilutealloyrare:vitiate

   Word Origin mid 16th century (in the sense ‘humiliate, belittle’): from de- ‘down’ + the obsolete verb base (compare with abase), expressing the notion ‘bring down completely’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. debaser noun

   Scrabble Points: 9

   • D

     2

   • E

     1

   • B

     3

   • A

     1

   • S

     1

   • E

     1

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