I. pəˈlüt, usu -üd.+V transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English polluten, from Latin pollutus, past participle of polluere, from pol-, por- — akin to Latin per through — + -luere to soil, dirty; akin to Latin lutum mud, lustrum cave, bog, Greek lyma dirt, Albanian (Tosk dialect) lum mud — more at fare
1. : to render ceremonially or morally impure : impair the purity of : destroy or violate the sanctity of : corrupt , defile , desecrate , profane
pollute a temple
pollute a person's honor
2. : to make physically impure or unclean : befoul , dirty , taint
pollute a water supply by the introduction of sewage
Synonyms: see contaminate
II. adjective
Etymology: Middle English pollut, pollute, from Latin pollutus, past participle of polluere
archaic : polluted
her naked shame pollute with sinful blame — John Milton