Turpitude

views updated Jun 27 2018

TURPITUDE

Conduct that is unjust, depraved, or shameful; that which is contrary to justice, modesty, or good morals.

Moral turpitude is a term that frequently appears in statutes, especially those providing that if a witness has been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, that conviction can be used to impeach his or her credibility. Similar statutes authorize revocation of a professional license for conduct involving moral turpitude.

West's Encyclopedia of American Law

turpitude

views updated May 29 2018

tur·pi·tude / ˈtərpiˌt(y)oōd/ • n. formal depravity; wickedness: acts of moral turpitude.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

turpitude

views updated Jun 11 2018

turpitude XV. — F. turpitude or L. turpitūdō, f. turpis base, disgraceful; see -TUDE.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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Turpitude

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