bas·tardy \ˈbastə(r)dē, ˈbaas-, ˈbais- also ˈbȧs-\noun (-es) Etymology: Middle English bastardie, from Old French, from bastart, bastard bastard + -ie -y 1.: the quality or state of being a bastard : illegitimacy < acutely conscious of his bastardy — Time > 2.: the begetting of an illegitimate child