base-born, a.
(ˈbeɪsbɔːn)
[f. base a. 6, 7, 16.]
A. 1. Of low or humble birth, plebeian.
| 1593 Shakes. 2 Hen. VI, iv. viii. 49 Better ten-thousand base-born Cades miscarry. 1741 Richardson Pamela (1824) I. 95 That a gentleman of your rank in life should stoop..to the base-born Pamela. 1845 Disraeli Sybil (1863) 153 Very often the baseborn change their liveries for coronets. |
2. fig. Of base origin or nature.
| 1591 Spenser Teares Muses 392 Such high conceipt of that celestiall fire, The base-born brood of Blindnes cannot gesse. 1852 Tupper Prov. Philos. 179 A base-born mirth, springing out of carelessness and folly |
3. Illegitimate, born out of wedlock.
| 1645 Featly Dippers Dipt 51 (T.) Neither doth holy imply no bastard; for some holy men have been base-born. 1851 Kingsley Yeast xi. 203 Our daughters with base-born babies Have wandered away in their shame. |
B. quasi-n. One of humble or illegitimate birth.
| 1605 Parish Reg. Romford, Essex 11 Aug., George, the base-borne of one of my Ladye Coke's servants. 1879 E. Arnold Lt. Asia 195 Huts where the base-born dwelt. |