debasement

[dih-beys-muhnt]

noun

1. the act of reducing the quality or value of something.

   The moment any paper currency is firmly linked back to gold, the debasement of paper money stops.

2. the fact or state of being lowered in dignity, character, or importance.

   Rich and greedy, he chose debasement, disgrace, and dishonorable practices in order to get even richer.

Other Word Forms

• self-debasement noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of debasement¹

debase ( def. ) + -ment ( def. )