† emˈbasement Obs.
[f. as prec. + -ment.]
1. A lowering in place, dignity, power, etc.; degradation; = abasement. lit. and fig.
| 1575 Fenton Golden Epistles 95 This wonderfull embasement of estate whiche the sonne of God tooke vppon him. 1582 N. T. (Rhem.) Rom. iii. 10 They esteemed it a great imbasement for such to be in Gods debt. 1635 W. Barriffe Milit. Discip. (1643) iii. 347 Suffering too much imbasement, as being often undervalued. 1656 Jeanes Mixt. Schol. Div. 60 Earthly mindedness..is a great depressure and embasement thereof. 1692 South Serm. VIII. iv. (R.) The pleasures of sin..receive a further embasement..from the super-addition of a curse. |
2. A debasement of precious metal by mixture of base metal; = abasement 3. Also fig.
| 1677 Hale Contempl. ii. 65 The very Soul of Man..receives a Tincture and an imbasement by them. 1709 Stanhope Paraph. IV. 65 Most of Us have..Vices, for an Allay and Embasement to our..Vertues. |