Abase

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /É™.ˈbeɪs/
• Rhymes: -eɪs

Origin

From Middle English abaisse, abesse, abessen, abaishen, abassen, from Middle French abaisser, from Old French abaissier ("bring low"), from Old French a- + baissier ("to lower"), from Vulgar Latin abbassiāre ("to lower"), from Medieval Latin bassus ("short of stature, low, humble").

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Full definition of abase

Verb

1. (transitive, archaic) To lower physically or depress; to stoop; to throw or cast down; as, to abase the eye. First attested from around (1350 to 1470)
• "Saying so, he abased his lance." - Thomas Shelton
2. (transitive) To lower, as in rank, office, condition in life, so as to hurt feelings or cause pain; to depress; to humiliate; to humble; to degrade. First attested from around (1350 to 1470)
• "Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased." - Luke 14:11
3. (transitive, obsolete) To lower in value, in particular as altering the content of alloys in coins.

Synonyms

• debase
• degrade

Antonyms

• promote
• exalt
• extoll

Derived terms

• abasedly
• abasement
• abaser