bastardy
noun/ˈbæstə(ɹ)di/ · /ˈbɑːstə(ɹ)di/
Etymology From Middle English bastardie (also as bastardrie), a borrowing from Middle French bastardie. Equivalent to bastard + -y.
1
Law The condition of being illegitimate, of being born to an unmarried woman and man or as the fruit of adultery.
- 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.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]:
- Derived terms
- bastardy bond
- Related terms
- bastard, bastardhood, bastardship