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adulterated

[v. uh-duhl-tuh-reyt; adj. uh-duhl-ter-it, -tuh-reyt]

Origin

verb (used with object)

to debase or make impure by adding inferior materials or elements; use cheaper, inferior, or less desirable goods in the production of (any professedly genuine article): to adulterate food.

adjective

adulterated.

adulterous (def. 1).

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Adulterated is always a great word to know.

So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:

the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.

an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.

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Origin:
1580–90; < Latin adulterātus mixed, adulterated (past participle of adulterāre), equivalent to ad- ad- + -ulter (perhaps combining form of alter other; see alter) + -ātus -ate¹

Related forms

a·dul·ter·a·tor, noun

un·a·dul·ter·ate, adjective

Can be confused: adulterer, adulterate.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To adulterated

Etymonline

Word Origin & History

adulterate

1590s, from L. adulterat-, pp. stem of adulterare "to falsify, corrupt" (see adulteration). Earlier verb was adulter (late 14c.).