contaminate
Translation
to contaminate, to pollute, to infect
Examples
The factory contaminated the river with chemicals.
The factory contaminated the river with chemicals.
Be careful not to contaminate the food.
Be careful not to contaminate the food.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) ((with sth.)) to make (sth.) impure with (sth.) The spill contaminated the ocean with oil.
Similar Words
Synonyms: pollute, infect, taint; Antonyms: purify, clean
Etymology
From Latin 'contaminare' (to defile), from 'con-' (together) and the root of 'tangere' (to touch).
Memory Tips
Think 'con-' (with) + 'tamin' (touch). When something bad 'touches' something pure, it contaminates it.