noun
turpitude
TUR-pih-tood/ˈtɜːrpɪtuːd/
Morally shameful character or conduct.
Stealing from a blind woman's begging bowl exposes the man's turpitude.
Etymology
Latin turpis described physical ugliness as well as shameful conduct. Turpitude expresses this figurative 'moral ugliness': not an unattractive appearance, but a deeply corrupt character.
In context
… received charges for theft crimes of moral turpitude that can also be a basis to exclude you from jury service
More examples
- The novel portrayed greed and moral turpitude.
- Her report condemned the turpitude of exploiting vulnerable workers.
- The court considered whether the offense involved moral turpitude.
Forms
turpitude
turpitudinous adjective — morally shameful
Similar words
- wickedness
- Both concern moral badness; turpitude is more formal and especially severe.
- misconduct
- Misconduct breaks expected rules; turpitude stresses moral baseness.