turpitude Hear it!

turpitude definition

tur·pi·tude (tʉr′pi to̵̅o̅d′, -tyo̵̅o̅d′)

noun

  1. baseness; vileness; depravity
  2. an instance of this

Etymology: MFr < L turpitudo < turpis, base, vile < IE *tṛpis, from which one must turn < base *trep-, to turn away > Sans trapa, shame, embarrassment

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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