abase

American  

[uh-beys] / əˈbeɪs /

verb (used with object)

abased, abasing

1. to reduce or lower, as in rank, office, reputation, or estimation; humble; degrade.

   Synonyms:

   belittle, debase, dishonor, humiliate

2. Archaic. to lower; put or bring down.

   He abased his head.

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abase British  

/ əˈbeɪs /

verb

1. to humble or belittle (oneself, etc)

2. to lower or reduce, as in rank or estimation

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Other Word Forms

• abasement noun
• abaser noun
• unabasing adjective

Etymology

Origin of abase

First recorded in 1470–80; a- ⁵ + base ²; replacing late Middle English abassen, equivalent to a- ⁵ + bas base ²; replacing Middle English abaissen, abe(i)sen, from Anglo-French abesser, abaisser, Old French abaissier, equivalent to a- a- ⁵ + -baissier, from (unattested) Vulgar Latin bassiare, verbal derivative of Late Latin bassus; base ²

Explanation

To abase something or someone is to humiliate them — no, more than just humiliate them. If you abase another person you are bringing them low, humbling them in a mean, base manner. Not nice at all. Abase means to bring someone down, often either in their job or their self-esteem. The early Latin bassus, which meant "thick, low," evolved into the Old French abaissier, meaning "to make lower in value or status." The important clue to the word is "base." Consider that the base of anything is the bottom, and you get an idea as to the meaning of the word abase, which means to make someone feel low.

Example Sentences

Why do you need to abase and demean me?

From New York Times • Sep. 29, 2018

More than that, he’s willing to abase himself in extraordinary ways.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 13, 2018

They were happy to express grief and condolence, and willing to abase themselves in general terms for their unworthiness.

From The Guardian • Aug. 24, 2017

You do not have to abase yourself any further.

From Slate • Jun. 26, 2017

“Should I abase myself? Rub ashes in my hair? Tear my clothes?”

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss