Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

abase

[uh-beys]
verb (used with object), a·based, a·bas·ing.
  1. to reduce or lower, as in rank, office, reputation, or estimation; humble; degrade.
  2. Archaic. to lower; put or bring down: He abased his head.
Show More

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
Related formsa·base·ment, nouna·bas·er, nounun·a·bas·ing, adjective

Synonyms for abase

1. humiliate, dishonor, defame, belittle.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for abaser

abase

verb (tr)
  1. to humble or belittle (oneself, etc)
  2. to lower or reduce, as in rank or estimation
Show More
Derived Formsabasement, noun

Word Origin for abase

C15: abessen, from Old French abaissier to make low. See base ²
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for abaser

abase

v.

late 14c., abaishen, from Old French abaissier "diminish, make lower in value or status" (12c.), from Vulgar Latin *ad bassiare "bring lower," from Late Latin bassus "thick, fat, low;" from the same source as base (adj.) and altered 16c. in English by influence of it, which made it an exception to the rule that Old French verbs with stem -iss- enter English as -ish. Related: Abased; abasing.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper