abase
[ uh-beys ]
/ əˈbeɪs /
verb (used with object), a·based, a·bas·ing.
to reduce or lower, as in rank, office, reputation, or estimation; humble; degrade.
Archaic. to lower; put or bring down: He abased his head.
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Origin of abase
1470–80; a-5 + base2; replacing late Middle English abassen, equivalent to a-5 + bas base2; replacing Middle English abaissen, abe(i)sen < Anglo-French abesser, abaisser, Old French abaissier, equivalent + a- a-5 + -baissier < Vulgar Latin *bassiare, verbal derivative of Late Latin bassus; see base2
OTHER WORDS FROM abase
a·base·ment, nouna·bas·er, nounun·a·bas·ing, adjectiveWords nearby abase
abandonee, abandonware, abapical, abaptiston, abarognosis, abase, abased, abash, abashed, abasia, abasia trepidans
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for abase
British Dictionary definitions for abase
abase
/ (əˈbeɪs) /
verb (tr)
to humble or belittle (oneself, etc)
to lower or reduce, as in rank or estimation
Derived forms of abase
abasement, nounWord Origin for abase
C15: abessen, from Old French abaissier to make low. See base ²
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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