abase

[ uh-beys ]
See synonyms for: abaseabasedabasement on Thesaurus.com

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.

Origin of abase

1
First recorded in 1470–80; a-5 + base2; replacing late Middle English abassen, equivalent to a-5 + bas base2; 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; see base2

Other words for abase

Other words from abase

  • a·base·ment, noun
  • a·bas·er, noun
  • un·a·bas·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for abase

abase

/ (əˈbeɪs) /


verb(tr)
  1. to humble or belittle (oneself, etc)

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

Origin of abase

1
C15: abessen, from Old French abaissier to make low. See base ²

Derived forms of abase

  • abasement, noun

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