turpitude

英 ['tɜːpɪtjuːd] 美 ['tɝpətud]

turpitude (n.): "depravity, infamy," late 15c., from Middle French turpitude (early 15c.), from Latin turpitudinem (nominative turpitudo) "baseness," from turpis "vile, physically ugly, base, unsightly," figuratively "morally ugly, scandalous, shameful," of unknown origin. Klein suggests perhaps originally "what one turns away from" (compare Latin trepit "he turns").

1. He was considered unfit to hold office because of moral turpitude.: 为了道德上的可耻行为,他被认为不适担任公务员.