Meaning of contaminate in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /kənˈtæməˌneɪt/

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  1. Verb

    contaminate

    Etymology

    late Middle English: from Latin contaminat-‘made impure’, from the verb contaminare, from contamen‘contact, pollution’, from con-‘together with’ + the base of tangere‘to touch’

    Definitions

    1. make impure

    Examples

    • « The industrial wastes polluted the lake »

    Derived terms

  2. 2. make radioactive by adding radioactive material

    Examples

    • « Don't drink the water--it's contaminated »

    Antonyms

    Derived terms

Famous quotes

  • « There is no pain equal to that which two lovers can inflict on one another. This should be made clear to all who contemplate such a union. The avoidance of this pain is the beginning of wisdom, for it is strong enough to contaminate the rest of our lives. »
    Cyril Connolly
  • « I'm 0 for 3 with marriage - the scoreboard doesn't lie, never has. So what we all have is a marriage of the heart. To sully or contaminate or radically disrespect this union with a shameful contract is something that I will leave to the amateurs and the Bible grippers. »
    Charlie Sheen
  • « Hydraulic fracturing requires massive amounts of water. Disposing of the toxic wastewater, as well as accidental spills, can contaminate drinking water and harm human health. »
    David Suzuki

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