abasement

Abasement is the act or condition of being lowered in rank, dignity, or self-respect. It can refer to the deliberate degradation of a person by others, a reduction of status through punishment or public disgrace, or to a voluntary act of humility by an individual.

Etymology: The noun derives from the verb abase, via Old French abasement from abaisser "to lower", from Latin bassus "low".

Contexts: In political and social history, abasement has included demotion, stripping of titles, or public humiliation imposed by rulers or institutions. In literature and philosophy, it is used to examine power, pride, shame, and character. In religious and ethical discourse, abasement may denote humility before the divine or penance.

Psychology: Self-abasement describes internal feelings of unworthiness or excessive self-criticism and can appear in various mental health contexts, sometimes as a coping mechanism or symptom of affective disorders.

See also: Humiliation; Degradation; Demotion; Humble oneself.