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