impurity

[im-pyoor-i-tee]

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.

impurity

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of impurity¹

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

Example Sentences

He feeds her salmon and bottled water; no impurities for his girl, who has Russian and Danish lineage and is as smart as she is sweet, according to the proudest of dog owners.

From Los Angeles Times

Molten iron then separates from impurities and can be tapped off.

From BBC

It featured 650 works confiscated from German museums and judged by a panel to represent "decadence," "weakness of character," "mental disease," "racial impurity" and other hallmarks of Weimar-era modernity.

From Salon

On its website, Elemetal says its specialized facilities melt gold sources such as scrap jewelry and impaired bullion to separate impurities and obtain refined gold.

From Los Angeles Times

Electrospinning using a starch-rich ingredient such as white flour is more challenging than using pure starch, as the impurities -- the protein and cellulose -- make the mixture more viscous and unable to form fibres.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• contamination 
• grime 
• pollutant 
• scum