cheapen Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb lower the grade of something; reduce its worth
    degrade.

WordNet

Cheap"en transitive verb
Etymology
OE. cheapien, chepen, to trade, buy, sell, AS. ceápian; akin to D. koopen to buy, G. kaufen, Icel. kaupa, Goth. kaupon to trade. Cf. Chap to bargain.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Cheapened ; present participle & verbal noun Cheapening
Definitions
  1. To ask the price of; to bid, bargain, or chaffer for. Obsoles.
    Pretend to cheapen goods, but nothing buy. Swift.
  2. Cf. Cheap, a. To beat down the price of; to lessen the value of; to depreciate. Pope.
    My proffered love has cheapened me. Dryden.

Webster 1913