Impurity

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /ɪmˈpjɝɪti/, /ɪmˈpjuɹɪti/

Origin

impure + -ity. From Middle French impurité.

Full definition of impurity

Noun

1. The condition of being impure; because of contamination, pollution, adulteration or insufficient purification.
   Even animals in the Jewish system cause impurity only when they are dead.
2. A component or additive that renders something else impure.
• 2013-06-01, A better waterworks, An artificial kidney these days still means a refrigerator-sized dialysis machine. Such devices mimic the way real kidneys cleanse blood and eject impurities and surplus water as urine.
3. The impurities in the iron ore made extraction of the iron very difficult.
4. A state of immorality or sin; especially the weakness of the flesh: inchastity.
   With his cheating, lying and stealing, he epitomised the impurity of humanity.

Synonyms

• impureness

Antonyms

• purity