Definition of abase

< abapical

abash >

a·base    (-bs) KEY 

TRANSITIVE VERB:
a·based, a·bas·ing, a·bas·es

To lower in rank, prestige, or esteem. See Synonyms at degrade.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English abassen, from Old French abaissier : Latin ad-, ad- + Vulgar Latin *bassire (from Medieval Latin bassus, low)

OTHER FORMS:
a·basement(Noun)