depravity

English

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /dəˈpɹævɪti/
  • Audio (US):(file)
  • Rhymes: -ævɪti

Noun

depravity (countable and uncountable, plural depravities)

  1. (uncountable) The state or condition of being depraved; moral debasement.
    • 1850, Herman Melville, chapter 34, in White Jacket, or, The World on a Man-of-War:
      Depravity in the oppressed is no apology for the oppressor.
    • 2000, “Introduction”, in The Reign of Edward III‎[1], →ISBN, →OCLC, page 10:
      Walsingham was not blind to Edward’s failings, and attributed the political problems of the 1370s directly to the old king’s moral depravity.
    • 2021 August 26, M. Willis, “We'll Always Have Tom Paris” (19:11 from the start), in Star Trek: Lower Decks‎[2], season 2, episode 3, spoken by Shaxs (Fred Tatasciore):
      “Whoa. Baby Bear. What's the matter?” “I know I'm not supposed to ask you how you came back from the dead, but I know it was my fault that you died. And maybe if you tell me how you came back, I won't feel as guilty anymore!” “Turbolift, halt.” (whirring stops) “It wasn't your fault. Saving you was my duty. There's a reason we don't tell anyone how we come back.” “I know. You can't tell me because I'm just an ensign.” “It's nothing to do with rank, son. We're sparing you dark truths about scientific depravity that would haunt you for the rest of your days. Once you know, you can never go back to being the man you were before.” “Works for me! Tell me, tell me!” “Okay. So, death is the first thing that happens. And then-- Oh, wait, you do know about the black mountain, right?” “Uh, the what now?” “The black mountain is a spiritual battleground your soul goes (muffled): where you have to fight three faceless apparitions of your father. (fading): ...the surviving father makes you eat your heart...”
  2. (countable) A particular depraved act or trait.
    • 1914, Julian Hawthorne, chapter 16, in The Subterranean Brotherhood:
      There were men there who had committed merciless robberies, cruel murders, heartless swindles, abominable depravities.
  3. (uncountable, Christian theology) Inborn corruption, entailing the belief that every facet of human nature has been polluted, defiled, and contaminated by sin.
    • 1850, Nathaniel Hawthorne, chapter 8, in The Scarlet Letter:
      Here is a child of three years old, and she cannot tell who made her! Without question, she is equally in the dark as to her soul, its present depravity, and future destiny!

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