Impurity: meaning, definitions and examples

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impurity

 

[ ɪmˈpjʊərɪti ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in chemistry

Impurity refers to a substance that is present in a material in small quantities, but affects the material's properties. Impurities can be introduced during the manufacturing process or naturally present in the material.

Synonyms

contaminant, foreign matter, pollutant

Examples of usage

  • Impurities in the metal alloy can weaken its structural integrity.
  • The impurity in the water caused it to have a strange taste.
Context #2 | Noun

in morality

Impurity can also refer to actions or thoughts that are considered morally wrong or indecent. It is often associated with concepts of purity and cleanliness.

Synonyms

corruption, immorality, indecency

Examples of usage

  • The priest warned against the impurity of engaging in dishonest practices.
  • She felt a sense of impurity after lying to her friend.

Translations

Translations of the word "impurity" in other languages:

🇵🇹 impureza

🇮🇳 अशुद्धता

🇩🇪 Unreinheit

🇮🇩 ketidakmurnian

🇺🇦 домішка

🇵🇱 zanieczyszczenie

🇯🇵 不純物 (ふじゅんぶつ)

🇫🇷 impureté

🇪🇸 impureza

🇹🇷 kirlilik

🇰🇷 불순물 (bulsunmul)

🇸🇦 شوائب (shawā'ib)

🇨🇿 nečistota

🇸🇰 nečistota

🇨🇳 杂质 (zázhì)

🇸🇮 nečistost

🇮🇸 óhreinindi

🇰🇿 қоспа

🇬🇪 სიბინძურე (sibindzure)

🇦🇿 çirklilik

🇲🇽 impureza

Etymology

The word 'impurity' originated from the Latin word 'impuritas', which is derived from 'in-' (not) and 'purus' (pure). The concept of impurity has been present in human societies throughout history, with various cultural and religious beliefs emphasizing the importance of purity. In chemistry, the study of impurities in materials has been crucial for understanding their properties and applications.

See also: impure, puree, purely, purify, purity.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,376, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.