I. də̇ˈbȯch, dēˈ-, -bäch verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle French debaucher, from Old French desbauchier to scatter, separate, literally, to roughhew (timber for a beam), from des- de- + -bauchier (from bauch, bauc beam, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German balko beam) — more at balk
transitive verb
1. archaic
a. : to lead away or seduce from one to whom duty or allegiance is owed : lead or seduce especially to an evil party or action
b. : to seduce from duty or allegiance : make disloyal : disaffect
2. obsolete : to disparage by unfavorable comment
3.
a. : to lead astray from what is good or right
a performance debauched by an excess of vulgarity
: win away from integrity
corrupt the press and debauch the legislatures
: corrupt in character or principle
factory methods … debauched Victorian design — Country Life
b. : to corrupt especially by intemperance or sensuality
c. : to seduce from chastity
4. obsolete : to spend lavishly : squander
intransitive verb
: to indulge excessively in sensual pleasure
a man who never gambled or debauched
Synonyms: see debase
II. noun
( -es )
Etymology: French débauche, from Middle French debauche, from debaucher
1.
a. : an act or occasion of debauchery
a night's debauch
b. : an act or occasion of indulging to excess especially in a violent, emotional, or pleasurable activity
I have had a vast debauch of reading — H.J.Laski
a debauch of speculation on the stock exchange
2. : excess in sensual pleasures : debauchery
tales of battle and debauch — Max Peacock
3. obsolete : debauchee