GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
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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.”
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The coin which was adulterated and debased. Hale.
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It is a kind of taking God's name in vain to debase religion with such frivolous disputes. Hooker.
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And to debase the sons, exalts the sires. Pope.
Syn. -- To abase; degrade. See Abase.
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