pollute

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   make impure

   The industrial wastes polluted the lake

2. 2
   verb

   To make something harmful, especially by the addition of some unwanted product.

   The factory polluted the river when it cleaned its tanks.

3. 3
   verb

   To make something or somewhere less suitable for some activity, especially by the introduction of some unnatural factor.

   The lights from the stadium polluted the night sky, and we couldn't see the stars.

4. 4
   verb

   To corrupt or profane

   But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, as for murderers, fornicators, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their lot shall be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death.

5. 5
   verb

   To violate sexually; to debauch; to dishonour.

6. 6
   adj

   Polluted; defiled.

Etymology

From Middle English polluten, borrowed from Latin pollūtum, from pollūtus (“no longer virgin", "unchaste”), perfect passive participle of polluō (“soil", "defile", "dishonor”).