Pronunciation: k ə - ' r ə pt
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin corruptus, past participle of corrumpere, from com- + rumpere to break ― more at REAVE
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 a : to change from good to bad in morals, manners, or actions also : BRIBE b : to degrade with unsound principles or moral values
2 : ROT , SPOIL
3 : to subject (a person) to corruption of blood
4 : to alter from the original or correct form or version <the file was corrupt ed >
intransitive verb
1 a : to become tainted or rotten b : to become morally debased
2 : to cause disintegration or ruin
synonyms see DEBASE
– cor · rupt · er also cor · rup · tor \ - ' r ə p-t ə r \ noun
– cor · rupt · ibil · i · ty \ - ˌ r ə p-t ə - ' bi-l ə -t ē \ noun
– cor · rupt · ible \ - ' r ə p-t ə -b ə l \ adjective
– cor · rupt · ibly \ -bl ē \ adverb