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

There’s always been more to Garrone’s movies than unkindness, but he has a striking facility for crystallizing human baseness in images that are both specific and laden with surplus meaning.

From New York Times • Feb. 22, 2024

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

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2022

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

“No, of course it isn’t necessary. But some kinds of baseness are nobly undergone. I’d like to undergo something nobly. Don’t you see?”

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley