bastardize

[ bas-ter-dahyz ]
See synonyms for bastardize on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),bas·tard·ized, bas·tard·iz·ing.
  1. to lower in condition or worth; debase: hybrid works that neither preserve nor bastardize existing art forms.

  2. to declare or prove (someone) to be a bastard.

  1. Australian. to harass or humiliate as part of initiation into a college or regiment.

verb (used without object),bas·tard·ized, bas·tard·iz·ing.
  1. to become debased.

Origin of bastardize

1
First recorded in 1580–90; bastard + -ize
  • Also especially British, bas·tard·ise .

Other words from bastardize

  • bas·tard·i·za·tion, noun
  • un·bas·tard·ized, adjective

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

British Dictionary definitions for bastardize

bastardize

bastardise

/ (ˈbɑːstəˌdaɪz, ˈbæs-) /


verb(tr)
  1. to debase; corrupt

  2. archaic to declare illegitimate

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