adulterate

[ verb uh-duhl-tuh-reyt; adjective uh-duhl-ter-it, -tuh-reyt ]

verb (used with object)

, a·dul·ter·at·ed, a·dul·ter·at·ing.

1. to debase or make impure by adding inferior materials or elements; use cheaper, inferior, or less desirable goods in the production of (any professedly genuine article):

   to adulterate food.

adjective

1. impure or debased; cheapened in quality or purity.
2. adulterous ( def ).

adulterate

verb

1. tr to debase by adding inferior material

   to adulterate milk with water

adjective

1. adulterated; debased or impure
2. See adulterous
   a less common word for adulterous

Derived Forms

• aˈdulterˌator, noun
• aˌdulterˈation, noun

Other Words From

• a·dulter·ator noun
• una·dulter·ate adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of adulterate¹

1580–90; < Latin adulterātus mixed, adulterated (past participle of adulterāre ), equivalent to ad- ad- + -ulter (perhaps combining form of alter other; alter ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of adulterate¹

C16: from Latin adulterāre to corrupt, commit adultery, probably from alter another, hence to approach another, commit adultery

Example Sentences

If there were a law to punish those who adulterate or falsify "truth," our magistrates would be kept extremely busy.

From Project Gutenberg

Thou shalt not adulterate thy mess tin by using it as a shaving mug.

From Project Gutenberg

Moreover, a neighbor may pollute the water supply, foul the air, and adulterate the food.

From Project Gutenberg

It is, of course, illegal to adulterate milk, yet it is sometimes done.

From Project Gutenberg

The most convenient and possibly the most common materials used to adulterate milk are water and skim milk.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• contaminate