The verb debauch, meaning to lead away from virtue or excellence, to corrupt by sensuality or intemperance, or to seduce from chastity, is of French origin (of course), and is derived from the same root as the word "balk," or horizontal support beam. A debauched person, then, to his detractors, seems to be lacking an internal source of moral reinforcement: He is sagging, scattered, not "upright." See: DISSIPATED, SYBARITE, SLOUCH.