Webster's English Dictionary

Enter the word to look up:

pollute

Cross references:
  1. contaminate           
 
pol.lute \p*-'lu:t\ \p*-'lu:-sh*n\ vt [ME polluten, fr. L pollutus, pp. of 
   polluere, fr. por-] (akin to L per through) + -luere (akin to L lutum mud, 
   Gk lyma dirt, defilement) - more at FOR 1: to make ceremonially or morally 
   impure : DEFILE  2: to make physically impure or unclean : BEFOUL, DIRTY,  
   TAINT - pol.lu.tion n