Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Vitiated Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

⚠️
Add to dictionary

vitiated

[ˈvɪʃ·iˌeɪ·tɪd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

condition, quality

Vitiated refers to something that has been impaired, spoiled, or made defective in some way. This term is often used in legal, philosophical, and technical contexts to describe a state where something is rendered void or invalid due to certain flaws or corruptions. Vitiated conditions may lead to compromised integrity, effectiveness, or purity, impacting the overall value or function of an object or idea.

Synonyms

corrupted, damaged, diminished, invalidated.

Examples of usage

  • The contract was vitiated by misrepresentation.
  • Her argument was vitiated by lack of evidence.
  • The vitiated environment poses a threat to wildlife.
  • He realized his authority was vitiated due to previous mistakes.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Legal Usage

  • In legal documents, vitiated often refers to contracts or agreements that cannot be enforced due to flaws.
  • Court rulings can deem actions vitiated if they don't meet the necessary legal standards, affecting the outcomes of cases.
  • Vitiation can also apply to evidence in legal terms, indicating that it has been compromised or rendered ineffective.

Philosophy

  • In philosophical discussions, the term can describe arguments that have been weakened or invalidated.
  • The concept often arises in debates about ethics, where flawed reasoning can vitiate moral conclusions.
  • Vitiation of a principle means it has been undermined, making it less credible or useful in discussions.

Biology

  • In biology, a vitiated environment may refer to conditions that are compromised by pollution or excessive human activity.
  • Research indicates that vitiated ecosystems struggle to support native species due to the imbalance created.
  • Vitiation in scientific experiments denotes conditions that impair the reliability of results, often leading to incorrect data.

Origin of 'vitiated'

Main points about word origin

  • The word originates from the Latin term 'vitiatus,' which means 'to make faulty or defective.'
  • In ancient Roman law, vitiated contracts were those that were flawed or invalid, showing the term's historical importance.
  • Vitiate was first used in English in the late 15th century, highlighting its long-standing presence in legal and academic contexts.

The word 'vitiated' is derived from the Latin word 'vitiatus', which is the past participle of 'vitiare', meaning 'to spoil' or 'to damage'. This Latin root is connected to 'vitium', meaning 'flaw', 'defect', or 'vice'. The term began to appear in English texts around the late 16th century, primarily in legal and philosophical writings. Over time, 'vitiated' has been adopted in various contexts to denote impairment or corruption, embodying a sense of loss of value or quality. Its usage has expanded into modern discussions about ethics, environments, and quality control, reflecting its versatility in the English language.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,653, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.