Con*tam"i*nate (?), v. t. [imp. & p.p. Contaminated (?); p.pr. & vb.n. Contaminating (?).] [L. contaminatus, p.p. of contaminare to bring into contact, to contaminate, fr. contamen contagion, for contagmen; con- + root of tangere to touch. See Contact.]
To soil, stain, or corrupt by contact; to tarnish; to sully; to taint; to pollute; to defile.
Shall we now
Contaminate our figures with base bribes?
Shak.
I would neither have simplicity imposed upon, nor virtue contaminated.
Goldsmith.
Syn. -- To pollute; defile; sully; taint; tarnish; soil; stain; corrupt.
© Webster 1913.
Con*tam"i*nate (?), a.
Contaminated; defiled; polluted; tainted.
"
Contaminate drink."
Daniel.
© Webster 1913.