turpitude

[ tur-pi-tood, -tyood ]

noun

1. vile, shameful, or base character; depravity.

   Synonyms: vileness, wrongdoing, vice, wickedness

2. a vile or depraved act.

turpitude

/ ˈtɜːpɪˌtjuːd /

noun

1. base character or action; depravity

Word History and Origins

Origin of turpitude¹

1480–90; < Latin turpitūdō, equivalent to turpi ( s ) base, vile + -tūdō -tude

Word History and Origins

Origin of turpitude¹

C15: from Latin turpitūdō ugliness, from turpis base

Example Sentences

Israel is that alcoholic, addicted to a habit that will lead to demographic suicide and moral turpitude.

From The Daily Beast

That anyone can call Adnan a hero for any reason is only a sign of the moral turpitude of our time.

From The Daily Beast

Nowhere was any well-defined doctrine that moral turpitude was judged and punished in the next-world.

From Project Gutenberg

He recognizes moral turpitude, at least to the extent of dreading exposure of his own backslidings.

From Project Gutenberg

Breaches of any of these kinds of civil relation were considered as acts of the most distinguished turpitude.

From Project Gutenberg

May Urd's protection hold thee on every side, where thou seest turpitude.

From Project Gutenberg

Upon their three heads should descend the full weight of criminal turpitude involved in this most unnatural execution.

From Project Gutenberg