Contaminate

/kənˈtæmɪneɪt/ verb

Definition

To make something impure or harmful by mixing it with dangerous or unwanted substances.

Etymology

From Latin 'contaminare' (to defile or pollute), from 'con-' (together) and 'taminare' (to defile). The word suggests mixing something pure with something corrupt.

Kelly Says

Water contamination from microplastics is one of the newest environmental challenges—scientists just discovered that billions of plastic particles from broken-down materials now float in all our water sources, and we're still discovering how it affects human health!

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