[cor.rupt] vb [ME, fr. L corruptus, pp. of corrumpere, fr. com- + rumpere to break--more at reave] vt (14c) 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 ~ vi 1 a: to become tainted or rotten b: to become morally debased
2: to cause disintegration or ruin syn see debase -- cor.rupt.er also cor.rup.tor n -- cor.rupt.ibil.i.ty n -- cor.rupt.ible adj -- cor.rupt.ibly adv
[2]corrupt adj [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L corruptus] (14c) 1 a: morally degenerate and perverted: depraved b: characterized by improper conduct (as bribery or the selling of favors) "~ judges"
2: putrid, tainted
3: adulterated or debased by change from an original or correct condition syn see vicious -- cor.rupt.ly adv -- cor.rupt.ness n