Bastardize: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
bastardize
[ หbรฆstษrหdaษชz ]
language usage
To bastardize means to alter or corrupt something, often a text or language, in a way that devalues or confounds its original quality or intent. This term is frequently used in literary and linguistic discussions to describe the mixing of styles or the dilution of pure forms.
Synonyms
corrupt, debase, dilute, pervert.
Examples of usage
- The translator bastardized the original text.
- He was accused of bastardizing the classic novel.
- Her attempt to modernize the poem seemed to bastardize its beauty.
cultural reference
Bastardizing can also refer to the cultural appropriation or mixing that leads to the loss of authenticity. In music or art, it can mean taking elements from different genres and blending them in a way that is often seen as inauthentic or superficial.
Synonyms
distort, mangle, misrepresent.
Examples of usage
- Many critics feel the new genre bastardizes traditional folk music.
- Some believe that remixing songs bastardizes the original artist's vision.
- The film was seen as a bastardization of the classic story.
Translations
Translations of the word "bastardize" in other languages:
๐ต๐น bastardizar
๐ฎ๐ณ เคฌเคธเฅเคเคฐเฅเคกเคพเคเค
๐ฉ๐ช bastardisieren
๐ฎ๐ฉ bastardisasi
๐บ๐ฆ ะฑะฐััะฐัะดะธะทัะฒะฐัะธ
๐ต๐ฑ bastardyzowaฤ
๐ฏ๐ต ใในใฟใซใใคใบใใ
๐ซ๐ท bastardiser
๐ช๐ธ bastardizar
๐น๐ท bastardize etmek
๐ฐ๐ท ๋ฐ์คํ๋ฅด๋ค์ด์ฆํ๋ค
๐ธ๐ฆ ุชุบููุฑ ุฌุฐุฑ ุงูููู ุฉ
๐จ๐ฟ bastardizovat
๐ธ๐ฐ bastardizovaลฅ
๐จ๐ณ ๆไบคๅ
๐ธ๐ฎ bastardizirati
๐ฎ๐ธ bastardรญsera
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฑะฐััะฐัะดะธะทะฐัะธั
๐ฌ๐ช แแแกแขแแ แแแแแชแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ bastardizasiya
๐ฒ๐ฝ bastardizar
Etymology
The term 'bastardize' originates from the Middle English word 'bastard', which itself comes from the Old French 'bastard', referring to someone born out of wedlock (a 'bastard'). Historically, the word carried a negative connotation, implying illegitimacy. The verb form, 'bastardize', began to appear in the English language in the early 17th century. It was used to describe not just the illegitimate nature of one's birth but also the act of diluting or corrupting the original nature or characteristics of something. Over time, the usage of the term has expanded beyond personal lineage to encompass various fields, including linguistics, literature, and culture, thus signifying any process that leads to a degradation or misrepresentation of something that was once whole or respected.
Word Frequency Rank
At position #41,485, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.
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- 41482 abortively
- 41483 cockamamie
- 41484 espaliered
- 41485 bastardize
- 41486 kneader
- 41487 mayday
- 41488 bonier
- ...