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Vinony

contaminate

verb

  1. befoul
L30817 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /kənˈtæmɪneɪt/ / [kənˈtɛəm.ɪ.neɪt] / /kənˈtæmɪnæɪt/

adj

Etymology: First attested in the early 15ᵗʰ century, in Middle English; from Middle English contaminat(e) (“sullied, defiled; infected with desease”, also used as the past participle of contaminaten), see -ate (adjective-forming suffix) and Etymology 1 for more. Participial usage up until Early Modern English.

  1. Contaminated.

    “And that this body conſecrate to thee, By Ruffian Luſt ſhould be contaminate!”

  2. Dirty, sinful, wicked, gross, etc.

verb

Etymology: First attested in the early 15ᵗʰ century, in Middle English; from Middle English contaminaten (“to defile; to infect with desease”), from contaminat(e) (“sullied, defiled; infected with desease”, also used as the past participle of contaminaten) + -en (verb-forming suffix), from Latin contāminātus, the perfect passive participle of contāminō (“to touch together, blend, mingle, corrupt, defile”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), which see for further informations. More at taste, tax, and taxi.

  1. To make something dangerous or toxic by introducing impurities or foreign matter.

    “This water is contaminated. It isn't safe to drink.”

    “Bombs and munitions meanwhile contain toxic substances that contaminate soil, water, and vegetation.”

  2. To soil, stain, corrupt, or infect by contact or association.

    “Shall we now Contaminate our figures with base bribes?”

    “I would neither have simplicity imposed upon, nor virtue contaminated.”

  3. To make unfit for use by the introduction of unwholesome or undesirable elements.

    “Do not contaminate the peanut butter with the jelly.”

  4. To infect, usually of a deadly virus.