abase

[ uh-beys ]

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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.

Origin of abase

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

1	humiliate, dishonor, debase; belittle

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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. 2023

How to use abase in a sentence

But now the duke and the cardinal, who had none but their own minions about them, seemed to take pleasure in abasing her.
Catherine de' Medici | Honore de Balzac
I am weary of abasing myself to such a contemptuous mortal, nor will I longer endure such indignity.
The Tinted Venus | F. Anstey
As to the Frenchmen, their dislike to Grotius was occasioned by his opposition to their design of abasing the crown of Sweden.
The Life of the Truly Eminent and Learned Hugo Grotius | Jean Lvesque de Burigny
But so far from abasing the possessor, in the estimation of others, this very trait commands their respect, and their love.
The Journal of Negro History, Volume 7, 1922 | Various
He resolutely thrust his self-abasing thoughts to the background of his mind, and began afresh.
The Fashionable Adventures of Joshua Craig | David Graham Phillips

British Dictionary definitions for abase

abase

/ (əˈbeɪs) /

verb(tr)

to humble or belittle (oneself, etc)
to lower or reduce, as in rank or estimation

Origin of abase

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

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