Main Entry: ¹adul·ter·ate

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈdəl-tə-ˌrāt\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): adul·ter·at·ed; adul·ter·at·ing

Etymology: Latin adulteratus, past participle of adulterare, from ad- + alter other — more at else

Date: 1531

: 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

— adul·ter·a·tor \-ˌrā-tər\ noun