Adulterated – Definition & Meaning

Adulterated is a term used to describe something that has been altered or contaminated in some way. It is commonly used in reference to food, drugs, or other products that have been tampered with in order to deceive or harm consumers. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of adulterated, its origins, and its associations in different contexts.

Definitions

The term adulterated is often used to describe a product that has been diluted, contaminated, or altered in some way. This can include the addition of harmful substances, such as chemicals or bacteria, or the removal of important ingredients. Adulteration can occur intentionally, as a means of increasing profits or deceiving customers, or unintentionally, as a result of poor manufacturing or storage practices.

Origin

The word adulterated comes from the Latin word adulterare, which means “to corrupt or pollute.” The term has been in use since at least the 16th century, and has been applied to a wide range of products, from food and drugs to cosmetics and textiles.

Meaning in different dictionaries

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, adulterated means “to corrupt, debase, or make impure by the addition of a foreign or inferior substance or element.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “to make impure or inferior by adding extraneous, improper, or inferior ingredients.” In both cases, the emphasis is on the idea of something being tainted or contaminated in some way.

Associations

Adulteration is often associated with fraud, deception, and harm to consumers. In the food industry, for example, adulteration can lead to serious health risks, as well as economic losses for farmers and producers. In the pharmaceutical industry, adulteration can result in ineffective or dangerous drugs, and can undermine public trust in the healthcare system.

Synonyms

Some synonyms for adulterated include contaminated, tainted, corrupted, debased, diluted, and impure. These terms all convey the idea of something being altered or degraded in some way.

Antonyms

Antonyms for adulterated include pure, unadulterated, untainted, pristine, and unspoiled. These terms suggest the absence of any foreign or harmful substances, and imply a higher level of quality or integrity.

The same root words

The Latin root word adulterare has given rise to a number of related words in English, including adultery (which originally meant “adulteration of marriage vows”), adulterer (one who commits adultery), and adulteress (a female adulterer). These words all share the idea of corruption or impurity.

Example Sentences

1. The food was found to be adulterated with dangerous chemicals.
2. The drug company was fined for selling adulterated medications.
3. The wine had been adulterated with water to increase profits.
4. The textile industry is plagued by counterfeit and adulterated products.
5. The government has implemented strict regulations to prevent the adulteration of food and drugs.