adulterate

views updated May 18 2018

a·dul·ter·ate / əˈdəltəˌrāt/ • v. [tr.] render (something) poorer in quality by adding another substance, typically an inferior one: the meat was ground fine and adulterated with potato flour. DERIVATIVES: a·dul·ter·a·tion / əˌdəltəˈrāshən/ n.a·dul·ter·a·tor / -ˌrātər/ n.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

adulterate

views updated May 21 2018

adulterate †commit adultery; †debauch; falsify, debase. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. adulterāre; see -ATE3.
So adulteration XVI. — F. or L.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

More From encyclopedia.com

About this article

adulterate

All Sources -
Updated Aug 08 2016 About encyclopedia.com content Print Topic

You Might Also Like