A feminine form (or a historical script style) descended from 'bastard,' referring either to a woman born outside marriage or a medieval writing style that was a bastardized mix of formal and cursive letterforms.
From Spanish/Portuguese 'bastarda,' the feminine form of 'bastardo,' ultimately derived from Medieval Latin 'bastardus,' possibly from Old French combining 'bast' (bundle of straw for packsaddle) with Germanic roots.
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