Word of the Day

: July 6, 2008

turpitude

noun TER-puh-tood

What It Means

: inherent baseness : depravity; also : a base act

turpitude in Context

The judge declared that the murders were the product of a gross moral turpitude.

Did You Know?

"Turpitude" came to English from Latin by way of Middle French. The Latin word "turpitudo" comes from "turpis," which means "vile" or "base." The word is often heard in the phrase "moral turpitude," an expression used in law to designate an act or behavior that gravely violates the sentiment or accepted standard of the community. A criminal offense that involves "moral turpitude" is considered wrong or evil by moral standards, in addition to being the violation of a statute.