turpitude
[tur-pi-tood, -tyood]
- vile, shameful, or base character; depravity.
- a vile or depraved act.
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Origin of turpitude
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
basenessimmoralityviceperversiondebaucherydegradationlicentiousnessevildebasementlewdnesscorruptionwickednesscriminalityvilenesssinfulnessimprobityExamples from the Web for turpitude
Historical Examples
If this turpitude were published, it would be said that he had fathered it.
The Paliser caseEdgar Saltus
The moral quality of the act is the same; the difference is wholly in the degree of turpitude.
UsuryCalvin Elliott
I know the turpitude of these crows, and their lack of respect for merit and birth.
The Mesmerist's VictimAlexandre Dumas
It needs no argument to prove the turpitude of such a people.
The Way to Abolish SlaveryCharles Stearns
Just then, however, writing out the story of his turpitude, she must needs have him in her mind.
The LandloperHolman Day
turpitude
- base character or action; depravity
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Word Origin
C15: from Latin turpitūdō ugliness, from turpis base
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for turpitude
n.
"depravity, infamy," late 15c., from Middle French turpitude (early 15c.), from Latin turpitudinem (nominative turpitudo) "baseness," from turpis "vile, ugly, base, shameful," used in both the moral and the physical senses; of unknown origin. Perhaps originally "what one turns away from" (cf. Latin trepit "he turns").
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper