Friday word: Adulterate

[med_cat]

adulterate, v. adul·ter·ate \ə-ˈdəl-tə-ˌrāt\

: to make (something, such as a food or drink) impure or weaker by adding something of poor quality

: to corrupt, debase, or make impure by the addition of a foreign or inferior substance or element; especially : to prepare for sale by replacing more valuable with less valuable or inert ingredients


Examples

The company is accused of adulterating its products with cheap additives.

Etymology

Latin adulteratus, past participle of adulterare, from ad- + alter other


First Known Use: 1531