King James Bible Dictionary

DEBA'SE, verb transitive

1. To reduce from a higher to a lower state or rank, in estimation.

The drunkard debases himself and his character.

Intemperance and debauchery debase men almost to a level with beasts.

2. To reduce or lower in quality, purity, or value; to adulterate; as, to debase gold or silver by alloy.

3. To lower or degrade; to make mean or despicable. Religion should not be debased by frivolous disputes. Vicious habits debase the mind, as well as the character.

4. To sink in purity or elegance; to vitiate by meanness; as, to debase style by the use of vulgar words.

DEBA'SED, participle passive Reduced in estimated rank; lowered in estimation; reduced in purity, fineness, quality or value; adulterated; degraded; rendered mean.

DEBA'SEMENT, noun The act of debasing; degradation; reduction of purity, fineness, quality or value; adulteration; a state of being debased; as debasement of character, of our faculties, of the coin, of style, etc.

DEBA'SER, noun One who debases or lowers in estimation, or in value; one who degrades or renders mean; that which debases.