Etymology

From from from Medieval Latin of origin from + -ard. Akin to from from . An alternate source derives it from "child of a nobleman by a woman other than his wife" possibly from Old French fils de bast "packsaddle son", meaning a child conceived on an improvised bed; as saddles often doubled as beds while traveling, with pejorative ending -art, -ard. Lastly the word may derive from another , again suggestive of low (peasant) origin.

Noun

1. Person who was born out of wedlock, hence often considered an illegitimate descendant.
2. A mongrel. A biological cross between different breeds, groups or varieties.
3. (vulgar referring to a man) A contemptible, inconsiderate, overly or arrogantly rude or spiteful person. See asshole, sod.
   • Some bastard stole my car while I was helping an injured person.
4. A man, a fellow, a male friend.
   • lucky bastard, poor bastard
   • Get over here, you old bastard!
5. : A child that does not know his father.
6. : Something extremely difficult or unpleasant to deal with.
   • Life can be a real bastard.
7. A variation that is not genuine; something irregular or inferior or of dubious origin, fake or counterfeit.
   • The architecture was a kind of bastard, suggesting Gothic but not being true Gothic.
8. An intermediate-grade steel file; also : bastard file.
9. A long, straight, narrow sword, with an undecorated hilt; a longsword.

Usage notes

Not always regarded as a (religious) stigma (in canon law prohibitive for clerical office without papal indult): Norman duke William, the Conqueror of England, is referred to in state documents as "William the Bastard"; a Burgundian prince was even officially styled Great Bastard of Burgundy.

Synonyms

• (illegitimate descendant) love-child
• (term of abuse) son of a bitch, arsehole

Adjective

(stub)

1. of or like a bastard (illegitimate human descendant)
2. of or like a bastard (bad person)
3. of or like a mongrel, bastardized creature/cross
4. of abnormal, irregular or otherwise inferior qualities (size, shape etc.)
5. spurious, lacking genuinity of authenticity: counterfeit, fake

Interjection

!

1. Exclamation of strong dismay or strong sense of being upset.