Careful Words

baseness (n.)

Since Cleopatra died,

I have liv'd in such dishonour that the gods

Detest my baseness.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Antony and Cleopatra. Act iv. Sc. 14.

I once did hold it, as our statists do,

A baseness to write fair.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Hamlet. Act v. Sc. 2.