Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Adulterate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

⚖️
Add to dictionary

adulterate

[əˈdʌltəreɪt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

substance quality

To adulterate something means to make it impure or weaker by adding something of inferior quality. This term is often used in the context of food or drink, where the original quality is compromised by the addition of cheaper or lower-grade ingredients.

Synonyms

corrupt, debase, dilute, taint.

Examples of usage

  • The manufacturer was accused of adulterating the juice with high fructose corn syrup.
  • Many cheap wines are adulterated with flavoring agents.
  • The laboratory found that the sample had been adulterated with a synthetic compound.
  • To save money, some sellers adulterate their spices with fillers.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Food Safety

  • Food adulteration is a serious concern worldwide, impacting health and safety.
  • Common examples include watering down milk or adding cheaper substances to spices.
  • Many countries have strict laws to combat food adulteration and ensure consumer safety.

Literature

  • Writers use the concept of adulteration as a metaphor for loss of purity, seen in several classic novels.
  • In poetry, the theme often appears when discussing the degradation of human values or culture.
  • Notable authors, like Charles Dickens, critiqued societal adulteration in their works.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers discuss 'pure' forms versus adulterated forms when considering the nature of reality and truth.
  • The notion of keeping one's intentions 'pure' can be linked to the concept of adulteration, implying purity in thought and ethics.
  • Debates around authenticity often reference the fear of modern society adulterating original ideas or values.

Digital Age

  • In the context of data, 'adulteration' can refer to corrupting raw data with inaccuracies.
  • Concerns over 'adulterated' information are prevalent in discussions about misinformation on social media.
  • The rise of artificial intelligence has led to conversations about the adulteration of creativity and originality in digital content.

Origin of 'adulterate'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'adulterare', meaning 'to corrupt' or 'to defile'.
  • It has been used in English since the late 14th century, primarily in the context of food and drink.
  • In historical texts, it often referred to the mixing of inferior materials into higher-quality goods.

The word 'adulterate' comes from the Latin word 'adulterare,' which means to corrupt or debase. 'Adulterare' itself is derived from 'ad-' meaning 'to' and 'alter' meaning 'to change.' The term has been used in English since the late 15th century, primarily in the context of food and drink, but it has since broadened to refer to any form of corruption or deterioration of quality. As industries have evolved, especially in food processing and chemical manufacturing, the notion of adulteration has become increasingly scrutinized, leading to regulations and standards to combat this practice.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,329 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.