SINCE 1828

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bastardy

noun bas·tardy \ ˈbas-tər-dē \

Definition of bastardy

plural bastardies

1 : the quality or state of being a bastard

2 : the begetting of an illegitimate child

Examples of bastardy in a Sentence

acutely conscious of his bastardy, he always felt the need to prove himself

Recent Examples of bastardy from the Web

Johanna Luthman, a historian at the University of North Georgia, has worked for years to understand the practice and repercussions of fornication, adultery and bastardy among the early 17th-century English aristocracy.

— richard davenport-hines, WSJ, "When Adultery Meant Exile," 11 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bastardy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of bastardy

15th century

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Examples: bastardy in a Sentence