To reduce in rank, status, or quality; to make something less valuable, pure, or respectable.
From Old French 'debasier,' from 'de-' (down) and 'basse' (low, base), meaning to lower. The term evolved from physical lowering to metaphorical reduction in value or dignity.
Historically, 'debase' was used literally about money—kings would debase currency by mixing in cheaper metals to make more coins—so it perfectly captures how a small change can diminish something's entire worth.
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