noun
- the act or process of adulterating.
- the state of being adulterated.
- something adulterated.
c.1500, from Latin adulterationem (nominative adulteratio), noun of action from past participle stem of adulterare “corrupt, falsify; debauch; commit adultery,” from ad- “to” (see ad-) + Late Latin alterare “to alter” (see alter).
n.
- The alteration, especially the debasement, of a substance by deliberately adding something not ordinarily a part of it.