Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DE-BASE', v.t. [de and base.]

1. To reduce from a higher to a lower state in quality or respectability. 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.