abasement
(əˈbeɪsmənt)
[f. abase v. after Fr. abaissement: see -ment.]
1. The action of abasing, lowering, casting down, or humbling, in rank or character; humiliation.
| 1561 T. N[orton] Calvin's Inst. i. xiii. 47 (1634) The time was not yet come of his abasement. 1589 Puttenham Eng. Poesie 266 (1869) And almost speak vntruly and iniuriously by way of abbasement. 1748 Richardson Clarissa II. ii. 12 (1811) Pride in ourselves must, and forever will, provoke contempt, and bring down upon us abasement from others. 1857 Buckle Civil. I. viii. 549 The abasement of the clergy preceded the humiliation of the crown. |
2. The condition of being abased; humiliation, degradation.
| 1611 Bible Ecclus. xx. 11 There is an abasement because of glory; and there is that lifteth vp his head from a low estate. 1747 Hervey Medit. II. 136 The deepest Degrees of possible Abasement. 1828 Carlyle Misc. I. 231 (1857) Conscious of its errors and abasement. 1860 R. A. Vaughan Ho. w. Mystics (ed. 2) I. 153 True Abandonment, with utter Abasement, was the nearest way to God. |