Ignoblenesses

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The quality of being dishonorable or morally low, as characterized by unworthy actions or attitudes
2. The state of lacking dignity or nobility, reflecting a base or sordid nature and actions
3. A descriptor for traits or behaviors that are shameful or unprincipled, highlighting a lack of honor or virtue

Etymology: "Ignobleness" is the plural of "ignobleness," a noun built from "ignoble" plus the English suffix "-ness." The base "ignoble" comes from Latin "ignobilis," a compound of "in-," meaning "not," and "nobilis," meaning "well-known" or "of good birth." So the word originally described someone of low lineage, and only later took on the moral sense of lacking honor. The plural form "ignoblenesses" is the form of this noun used when referring to several separate acts or attitudes, each one an instance of base conduct. English readers will recognize the same pattern in "kindnesses" or "weaknesses," where an abstract quality is counted as a series of particular occasions.

Synonyms: baseness, dishonor, shamefulness

Antonyms: nobility, honor