debauch

American  

[dih-bawch] / dɪˈbɔtʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to corrupt by sensuality, intemperance, etc.; seduce.

2. to corrupt or pervert; sully.

   His honesty was debauched by the prospect of easy money.

3. Archaic. to lead away, as from allegiance or duty.

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verb (used without object)

1. to indulge in debauchery.

noun

1. a period of wanton or sensual self-indulgence.

2. an uninhibited spree or party; orgy.

   a wild debauch.

debauch British  

/ dɪˈbɔːtʃ, dɪˈbɔːtʃɪdlɪ /

verb

1. (when tr, usually passive) to lead into a life of depraved self-indulgence

2. (tr) to seduce (a woman)

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noun

1. an instance or period of extreme dissipation

Other Word Forms

• debauchedly adverb
• debauchedness noun
• debaucher noun
• debauchery noun
• debauchment noun

Etymology

Origin of debauch

First recorded in 1585–95; from French débaucher “to entice away from duty, debauch,” Old French desbauchier “to disperse, scatter,” equivalent to des- dis- ¹ + -bauchier, derivative of bauc, bauch beam (from Germanic; balcony, balk; compare French ébaucher “to rough-hew”); hence, presumably, “to hew (beams),” becoming “to split, separate,” becoming “to separate from work or duty”

Example Sentences

Heiner Müller, the experimental German playwright who specialized in grimly absurdist Shakespeare rewrites, refashioned “Titus Andronicus” as a postmodern, postcolonial debauch.

From New York Times • Apr. 4, 2019

“I did really debauch myself to achieve a visual at the time” is how he remembers it.

From The New Yorker • Sep. 15, 2016

We’ve not had a debasement of the currency, a debauch of the exchange rate, so those fears and warnings aren’t all that well founded.

From Forbes • Feb. 13, 2015

Lastly, the Gabfest crew takes a look at Google’s new smartphone for your face, Google Glass: Will it extend our human powers or finally debauch them for good?

From Slate • May 22, 2013

All the blood and lymph had been drained out of him by an enormous debauch of work, leaving only a frail structure of nerves, bones, and skin.

From "1984" by George Orwell