impurity

American  

[im-pyoor-i-tee] / ɪmˈpyʊər ɪ ti /

noun

plural

impurities

1. the quality or state of being impure.

   Synonyms:

   taint, pollution, contamination

2. Often impurities. something that is or makes impure.

   After the flood the authorities warned against impurities in the drinking water.

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impurity British  

/ ɪmˈpjʊərɪtɪ /

noun

1. the quality of being impure

2. an impure thing, constituent, or element

   impurities in the water

3. electronics a small quantity of an element added to a pure semiconductor crystal to control its electrical conductivity See also acceptor donor

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Etymology

Origin of impurity

1400–50; late Middle English impurite < Latin impūritās. See impure, -ity

Example Sentences

As a result, impurity buildup and energy losses were greatly reduced, allowing the plasma density to increase steadily by the end of startup.

From Science Daily

In this state, paired electrons move together without scattering off phonons or impurities in the crystal lattice, which eliminates electrical resistance.

From Science Daily

Some adherents advise parents that the disturbing effects indicate that the treatment is working, ridding the body of impurities, or that the parents should alter the dosage.

From Salon

Some recent experiments have involved probing impurities in aluminium while it melts.

From BBC

Ren's group, however, suspected the problem wasn't the material's intrinsic ability but the impurities within it.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• contamination
• grime
• pollutant
• scum