De-bāse′, v. t.

v. t. [imp. & p. p. DEBASED (de-bāst′); p. pr. & vb. n. DEBASING.] [From de and base, q. v.; It. dibassare. Cf. ABASE.] To reduce from a higher to a lower state or grade of worth, dignity, purity, station, and the like; to degrade; to lower; to abase; as, to debase gold or silver by alloy; to debase the character by crime; to debase the mind by frivolity; to debase style by vulgar words.

It is a kind of taking God’s name in vain to debase religion with such frivolous disputes. Hooker.

God sent her to debase me. Milton.

The coin which was adulterated and debased in the times and troubles of King Stephen. Hale.

Synonyms—To abase; degrade. See ABASE.