A*dul"ter*ate (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Adulterated (#); p. pr. & vb. n Adulterating (#).] [L. adulteratus, p. p. of adulterare, fr. adulter adulterer, prob. fr. ad + alter other, properly one who approaches another on account of unlawful love. Cf. Advoutry.]

1.

To defile by adultery.

[Obs.]

Milton.

2.

To corrupt, debase, or make impure by an admixture of a foreign or a baser substance; as, to adulterate food, drink, drugs, coin, etc.

The present war has . . . adulterated our tongue with strange words. Spectator.

Syn. -- To corrupt; defile; debase; contaminate; vitiate; sophisticate.

 

© Webster 1913.


A*dul"ter*ate, v. i.

To commit adultery.

[Obs.]

 

© Webster 1913.


A*dul"ter*ate (#), a.

1.

Tainted with adultery.

2.

Debased by the admixture of a foreign substance; adulterated; spurious.

-- A*dul"ter*ate*ly, adv. -- A*dul"ter*ate*ness, n.

 

© Webster 1913.

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