turpitude

Definition

Inherent baseness, depravity or wickedness; corruptness and evilness.

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French turpitude, from Latin turpitūdō (“baseness, infamy”), from turpis (“foul, base”).

Example Sentences

• "As for the moral turpitude that man unveiled to me, even with tears of penitence, I cannot, even in memory, dwell on it without a start of horror."