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bastardy. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
bastardy, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
bastardy in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
bastardy you have here. The definition of the word
bastardy will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
bastardy, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From Middle English bastardie (also as bastardrie), a borrowing from Middle French bastardie. Equivalent to bastard + -y.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈbæstə(ɹ)di/, /ˈbɑːstə(ɹ)di/
Noun
bastardy (countable and uncountable, plural bastardies)
- (law) The condition of being illegitimate, of being born to an unmarried woman and man or as the fruit of adultery.
c. 1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Richard the Third: ”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies (First Folio), London: Isaac Iaggard, and Ed Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, :Go, after, after, cousin Buckingham.
The Mayor towards Guildhall hies him in all post:—
There, at your meet'st advantage of the time,
Infer the bastardy of Edward's children:
Tell them how Edward put to death a citizen,
Only for saying he would make his son
Heir to the crown;—meaning, indeed, his house,
Which, by the sign thereof, was termed so.
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
the condition of being illegitimate (born to an unmarried woman and man or as the result of adultery)
See also
Middle English
Noun
bastardy
- Alternative form of bastardie