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. a less common word for adulterous

Derived Forms

• aˌdulterˈation, noun
• aˈdulterˌator, 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

Related Words

• contaminate