turpitude

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 6, 2008 is: turpitude • \TER-puh-tood\  • noun : inherent baseness : depravity; also : a base act Examples: The judge declared that the murders were the product of a gross moral turpitude. Did you know? "Turpitude" came to English from Latin by way of Middle French. The Latin word "turpitudo" comes from "turpis," which means "vile" or "base." The word is often heard in the phrase "moral turpitude," an expression used in law to designate an act or behavior that gravely violates the sentiment or accepted standard of the community. A criminal offense that involves "moral turpitude" is considered wrong or evil by moral standards, in addition to being the violation of a statute. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.