debase : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

English Dictionary: debase	by the DICT Development Group
2 results for debase
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
debase v corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality; "debauch the young people with wine and women"; "Socrates was accused of corrupting young men"; "Do school counselors subvert young children?"; "corrupt the morals" Synonym(s): corrupt, pervert, subvert, demoralize, demoralise, debauch, debase, profane, vitiate, deprave, misdirect lower in value by increasing the base-metal content Synonym(s): debase, alloy corrupt, debase, or make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance; often by replacing valuable ingredients with inferior ones; "adulterate liquor" Synonym(s): load, adulterate, stretch, dilute, debase
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Debase \Debase"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Debased}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Debasing}.] [Pref. de- + base. See {Base}, a., and cf. {Abase}.] To reduce from a higher to a lower state or grade of worth, dignity, purity, station, etc.; to degrade; to lower; to deteriorate; to abase; as, to debase* the character by crime; to debase the mind by frivolity; to debase style by vulgar words. The coin which was adulterated and debased. --Hale. It is a kind of taking God's name in vain to debase religion with such frivolous disputes. --Hooker. And to debase the sons, exalts the sires. --Pope. Syn: To abase; degrade. See {Abase}.