Bastardy - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Bastardy is the legal status of being born to parents who are not married. It historically carried social stigma and affected inheritance rights. The term is now largely outdated.
Definition:
The state of being born to unmarried parents; illegitimacy.
Synonyms:
illegitimacy, bastardization, spuriousness
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
legitimacy, lawfulness
Common Collocations:
charge of bastardy, proof of bastardy, bastardy proceedings
Derivatives:
bastardize, bastardized, bastardizing
Usage Tips:
Use "bastardy" in legal or historical contexts to refer to illegitimacy; avoid in casual conversation due to its archaic and offensive connotations.
Common Phrases:
born in bastardy, accused of bastardy, proof of bastardy
Etymology:
Derived from Old French "bastard," meaning illegitimate child, with the suffix "-y" denoting a state or condition.
Examples:
- 1. The king refused to acknowledge the child due to his bastardy.
- 2. Bastardy laws once denied inheritance rights to illegitimate children.
- 3. She faced social stigma because of her alleged bastardy.
- 4. The court dismissed the claim of bastardy for lack of evidence.