English

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Etymology

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From Middle English bastardie (also as bastardrie), a borrowing from Middle French bastardie. Equivalent to bastard +‎ -y.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˈbæstə(ɹ)di/, /ˈbɑːstə(ɹ)di/

Noun

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bastardy (countable and uncountable, plural bastardies)

  1. (law) The condition of being illegitimate, of being born to an unmarried woman and man or as the fruit of adultery.
    • c. 1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Richard the Third: []”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies [] (First Folio), London: [] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene v]:
      Go, after, after, cousin Buckingham.
      The Mayor towards Guildhall hies him in all post:—
      There, at your meet'st advantage of the time,
      Infer the bastardy of Edward's children:
      Tell them how Edward put to death a citizen,
      Only for saying he would make his son
      Heir to the crown;—meaning, indeed, his house,
      Which, by the sign thereof, was termed so.

Derived terms

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Translations

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See also

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Middle English

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Noun

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bastardy

  1. Alternative form of bastardie