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contaminate

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contaminate¹

  • /kənˈtæmɪneɪt/ UK
  • /kənˈtæmɪneɪt/ Canada, US
  • [kənˈtɛəm.ɪ.neɪt] Canada, US
  • /kənˈtæmɪnæɪt/ Australia
  • /kənˈtɛmənæɪt/ New Zealand

Where it comes from

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.

verb contaminates · contaminating · contaminated

  1. transitive To make something dangerous or toxic by introducing impurities or foreign matter. This water is contaminated. It isn't safe to drink.
  2. transitive To soil, stain, corrupt, or infect by contact or association. Shall we now Contaminate our figures with base bribes?
  3. transitive To make unfit for use by the introduction of unwholesome or undesirable elements. Do not contaminate the peanut butter with the jelly.
  4. transitive To infect, usually of a deadly virus.

contaminate²

Where it comes from

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.

adjective more contaminate · most contaminate

  1. obsolete Contaminated. And that this body conſecrate to thee, By Ruffian Luſt ſhould be contaminate!
  2. figuratively, obsolete Dirty, sinful, wicked, gross, etc.

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