Main Entry:

abase

Pronunciation:

\ə-ˈbās\

Function:

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

abased; abas·ing

Etymology:

Middle English abassen, from Anglo-French abesser, abaisser, from a- (from Latin ad-) + -besser, from Vulgar Latin *bassiare to lower

Date:

15th century

1archaic : to lower physically2: to lower in rank, office, prestige, or esteem

— abase·ment \-ˈbās-mənt\ noun