debauch

[ dih-bawch ]

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.

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

/ dɪˈbɔːtʃ; dɪˈbɔːtʃɪdlɪ /

verb

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

noun

1. an instance or period of extreme dissipation

Derived Forms

• deˈbauchery, noun
• debauchedly, adverb
• deˈbauchedness, noun
• deˈbaucher, noun

Other Words From

• de·baucher noun
• de·bauchment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of debauch¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of debauch¹

C16: from Old French desbaucher to corrupt, literally: to shape (timber) roughly, from bauch beam, of Germanic origin

Example Sentences

Trump’s apparently already addled mind and debauched morals are in terminal decline, and his campaign isn’t doing much right.

From Salon

He plays a debauched and disheveled alcoholic, revealing an underexplored potential for dramatic acting.

From Salon

Cabaret sees the capital's Playhouse Theatre transformed into the debauched Kit Kat Club of Weimar Berlin.

From BBC

But finally seeing the Rockstar-approved version of its debauched, riotous virtual Miami after almost 10 years of waiting sent fans wild.

From BBC

The Hallmark Experience panel provided a window into filmmaking techniques and scriptwriting instead of prodding attendees to whoop it up at debauched moments caught on camera.

From Salon