adulterate
[ verb uh-duhl-tuh-reyt; adjective uh-duhl-ter-it, -tuh-reyt ]
/ verb əˈdʌl təˌreɪt; adjective əˈdʌl tər ɪt, -təˌreɪt /
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verb (used with object), a·dul·ter·at·ed, a·dul·ter·at·ing.
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
impure or debased; cheapened in quality or purity.
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Origin of adulterate
OTHER WORDS FROM adulterate
a·dul·ter·a·tor, nounun·a·dul·ter·ate, adjectiveWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH adulterate
adulterer, adulterateDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for adulterate
British Dictionary definitions for adulterate
adulterate
verb (əˈdʌltəˌreɪt)
(tr) to debase by adding inferior materialto adulterate milk with water
adjective (əˈdʌltərɪt, -ˌreɪt)
adulterated; debased or impure
a less common word for adulterous
Derived forms of adulterate
adulteration, nounadulterator, nounWord Origin for adulterate
C16: from Latin adulterāre to corrupt, commit adultery, probably from alter another, hence to approach another, commit adultery
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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