Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DE-MOR'AL-IZE, v.t. [de and moralize or moral.]

To corrupt or undermine the morals of; to destroy or lessen the effect of moral principles on; to render corrupt in morals. The effect would be to demoralize mankind. Grattan on Catholic Petition. The native vigor of the soul must wholly disappear, under the ste – dy influence and the demoralizing example of profligate power and prosperous crime. – Walsh, Letters on France.