(pronounced dih-BAS)

You know that a basement sits underneath a house. Use that image to remember the definition of this verb, which means to lower in character, status, esteem, or quality. Another way to remember it: when you lower the precious metal content of a coin, then you have to increase the base-metal content to make up for it, which results in lowering the coin’s true value. We realize that one’s not as visually effective…

Example: After last week’s incident in the weekly employee meeting, Rob refused to be debased by his arrogant, self-serving, sociopath of a boss any longer, so he put in his letter of resignation, gathered up his belongings, and never looked back.