Syn. — To Abase, Debase, Degrade. These words agree in the idea of bringing down from a higher to a lower state. Abase has reference to a bringing down in condition or feelings; as to abase one's self before God. Debase has reference to the bringing down of a thing in purity, or making it base. It is, therefore, always used in a bad sense, as, to debase the coin of the kingdom, to debase the mind by vicious indulgence, to debase one's style by coarse or vulgar expressions. Degrade has reference to a bringing down from some higher grade or from some standard. Thus, a priest is degraded from the clerical office. When used in a moral sense, it denotes a bringing down in character and just estimation; as, degraded by intemperance, a degrading employment, etc. "Art is degraded when it is regarded only as a trade."
ABASED
A*based", a.
1. Lowered; humbled.
2. (Her.) Etym: [F. abaissé.]
Defn: Borne lower than usual, as a fess; also, having the ends of the wings turned downward towards the point of the shield.
ABASEDLY
A*bas"ed*ly, adv.
Defn: Abjectly; downcastly.
ABASEMENT
A*base"ment, n. Etym: [Cf. F. abaissement.]
Defn: The act of abasing, humbling, or bringing low; the state of being abased or humbled; humiliation.
ABASER
A*bas"er, n.