| Title | pollute |
|---|---|
| Text |
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary pol·lute \\pə-ˈlüt\\ transitive verb (pol·lut·ed ; pol·lut·ing) ETYMOLOGY Middle English, from Latin pollutus, past participle of polluere, from por- (akin to Latin per through) + -luere (akin to Latin lutum mud, Greek lyma dirt, defilement) — more at for DATE 14th century 1. a. to make ceremonially or morally impure : defile b. debase 1 using language to deceive or mislead pollutes language — Linda C. Lederman 2. a. to make physically impure or unclean : befoul , dirty b. to contaminate (an environment) especially with man-made waste Synonyms: see contaminate • pol·lut·er noun • pol·lut·ive \\-ˈlü-tiv\\ adjective Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 pollute pol·lute / pE5lu:t / verb[VN] ~ sth (by / with sth) to add dirty or harmful substances to land, air, water, etc. so that it is no longer pleasant or safe to use 污染；弄脏: the exhaust fumes that are polluting our cities 污染我们城市的废气 The river has been polluted with toxic waste from local factories. 当地工厂排放的有毒废弃物污染了这条河。 (figurative) a society polluted by racism 受种族主义污染的社会 Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged pol·lute 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 > |
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