Meaning of debase in English
Verb
debaseEtymology
mid 16th century (in the sense ‘humiliate, belittle’): from de-‘down’ + the obsolete verb base (compare with abase), expressing the notion ‘bring down completely’Definitions
1. corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensualityExamples
- « 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
Examples
- « often by replacing valuable ingredients with inferior ones »
- « adulterate liquor »