contaminate

 
Pronunciation: /kənˈtamɪneɪt/

verb

[with object]
  • make (something) impure by exposure to or addition of a poisonous or polluting substance: the site was found to be contaminated by radioactivity figurative celebrity has contaminated every aspect of public life (as adjective contaminated) contaminated blood products

Derivatives

contaminant

noun

contamination

Pronunciation: /-ˈneɪʃ(ə)n/
noun

contaminator

noun

Origin:

late Middle English: from Latin contaminat- 'made impure', from the verb contaminare, from contamen 'contact, pollution', from con- 'together with' + the base of tangere 'to touch'