English

Noun

bastardy ‎(countable and uncountable, plural bastardies)

1. (law) The condition of being illegitimate, of being born to an unmarried woman or as the fruit of adultery.
   • Shakespeare, Richard III, Act 3, Scene 5.

     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.

Related terms

• bastard

Derived terms

• bastardy bond