# abastard

CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abastard
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a person who is not a member of a specific group or family. It is a very old-fashioned and rude way to describe someone who is not pure or legitimate.

For teachers: a person who is not a member of a specific group, family, or social class. Highly archaic and offensive; typically used in historical or literary contexts to describe someone of mixed or illegitimate descent.

## Examples

- The king treated the abastard as a commoner.
- In many medieval stories, the abastard must prove his worth to be accepted by his noble family.
- The protagonist's journey is defined by his struggle to reconcile his status as an abastard with his desire to claim a title of nobility.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.