basest

I have ever had this attention, and ever will, but not by base means: and, in my opinion, the very basest is that of selling one's hand in marriage.

The History of Emily Montague 1769

And yet this man he calls the basest of mankind, a name which no man is entitled to call another till he has proved something to justify him in so doing; and notwithstanding his opulence, his high rank, station, and birth, he despises him, and will not suffer him to be heard as an accuser before him.

The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 10 (of 12) Edmund Burke 1763

“It is painful to me, as a son, to observe that lord Wynchcombe’s general demeanour is harsh; his behaviour to your mother was not calculated to win her confidence, though he now severely reflects on her memory, for what he terms the basest concealment, without making allowances for the singularity of the situation which influenced her conduct.”

The Child of Mystery 1808

And so by means of that poetic order, which is the Providence of this piece, and that design which 'tunes the harmony of it,' it is a duke on whom that low correction, 'such as basest and most contemned wretches are punished with,' is exhibited, in spite of his indignant protest.

The Philosophy of the Plays of Shakspere Unfolded Delia Bacon 1835

What profiteth a man who loses his soul while also losing the election by playing to the "basest" instincts?

Faithful Progressive 2008

"But Short and Long," she growled in her very "basest" voice, "says I can't walk like a boy.

The Girls of Central High Aiding the Red Cross Or Amateur Theatricals for a Worthy Cause Gertrude W. Morrison

They are the very basest form of scum-scraping partisanship and they should be covered as such by respectable new organizations.

Obama speech to school children: 'You make your own future' 2009

Hey GOP, remember that swell idea ol 'Dick Nixon had back in the day, when you'd get all those angry white southern folk to come on over to your side by pandering to their basest prejudices?

First on the Ticker: GOP heckler blasted by 2010 challenger 2009

On a day when it appears our tax shillings may have been used to fund the basest of sleaze, your writings cheered me up no end.

Lord Bonkers' Diary: Po's booze hell 2009

She doesn't appear to be very intelligent; she appeals to people's basest instincts, stirring up fear and racism every time she spreads her lies; and now she has abandoned her oath as governor.

CNN Poll: Favorable view of Palin dipping 2009