Corruptness

/kəˈrʌptnəs/ noun

Definition

The quality or state of being corrupt; dishonesty and the use of improper influence for personal gain.

Etymology

From 'corrupt' plus the noun-forming suffix '-ness,' which creates abstract nouns describing qualities. This word transforms the adjective into a concept you can discuss and measure.

Kelly Says

In Renaissance philosophy, 'corruptness' wasn't just about bribery—scholars believed all physical matter had inherent corruptness because everything decays. Moral corruption and physical decay were seen as the same fundamental problem with the material world.

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