contaminated
UK: kənˈtæmɪneɪtɪd | US: kənˈtæməneɪtɪd
adj. polluted or made impure by harmful substances
vt. past tense of "contaminate": to introduce harmful substances into something
contaminated = con<together> + tamin<touch> + ated<adjective suffix>
- con: Latin prefix meaning "together" or "with."
- tamin: Derived from Latin taminare (to touch or defile), related to tangere (to touch).
- ated: Suffix forming past participles or adjectives.
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin contaminare (to defile or corrupt), combining con- (intensifying "together") and taminare (to touch, often negatively). It entered Middle English via Old French contaminer, retaining its core sense of impurity through physical or metaphorical "touch." The modern meaning emphasizes pollution or spoilage, reflecting its historical link to corruption.
The river was contaminated by industrial waste.
Contaminated food can cause severe illnesses.
The lab samples became contaminated due to improper handling.
Fear of contaminated water led to a bottled water shortage.
The study found no evidence of contaminated air in the area.