baseness

American  

[beys-nis] / ˈbeɪs nɪs /

noun

1. the state or quality of being dishonorable, cowardly, selfish, or mean-spirited; morally despicable character.

   He says that this sort of advertising reflects “the baseness and moral depravity of the present culture.”

2. lack of value; relative worthlessness.

   Despite the rust spots and the baseness of the metal, these antique iron door knockers are still beautiful.

3. the quality of being menial or undignified.

   He helped with the farm chores, without balking at the baseness of any task that was asked of him.

4. illegitimacy of birth.

   The usurper’s enemies decried the baseness of his birth—he was the late king’s bastard son.

5. the quality or condition of being unrefined, unsophisticated, or of low social status.

   The baseness of their position could not detract from the nobility of their character.

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Etymology

Origin of baseness

First recorded in 1530–40; base ² ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

Algeria's ambassador to France said it was an act of "unspeakable baseness".

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2022

The interesting existential tidbits about agency, morality and artificial intelligence play second string to the straw-man argument about the baseness of consumerism.

From New York Times • Aug. 12, 2021

He’s watching the baseness of human nature, investigating it, trying to find the truth of it.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 23, 2020

He also played Cromwell in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of “Wolf Hall Parts One & Two,” and captures again the man’s voice, its taint of baseness, its ups and downs and quiet ruthlessness.

From Washington Post • Jul. 6, 2020

I think they gloried in my squalor as proof of my baseness.

From "Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine