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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Corruption \Cor*rup"tion\ (k?r-r?p"sh?n), n. [F. corruption, L.
corruptio.]
1. The act of corrupting or making putrid, or state of being
corrupt or putrid; decomposition or disorganization, in
the process of putrefaction; putrefaction; deterioration.
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The inducing and accelerating of putrefaction is a
subject of very universal inquiry; for corruption is
a reciprocal to "generation". --Bacon.
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2. The product of corruption; putrid matter.
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3. The act of corrupting or of impairing integrity, virtue,
or moral principle; the state of being corrupted or
debased; loss of purity or integrity; depravity;
wickedness; impurity; bribery.
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It was necessary, by exposing the gross corruptions
of monasteries, . . . to exite popular indignation
against them. --Hallam.
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They abstained from some of the worst methods of
corruption usual to their party in its earlier days.
--Bancroft.
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Note: Corruption, when applied to officers, trustees, etc.,
signifies the inducing a violation of duty by means of
pecuniary considerations. --Abbott.
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4. The act of changing, or of being changed, for the worse;
departure from what is pure, simple, or correct; as, a
corruption of style; corruption in language.
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{Corruption of blood} (Law), taint or impurity of blood, in
consequence of an act of attainder of treason or felony,
by which a person is disabled from inheriting any estate
or from transmitting it to others.
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Corruption of blood can be removed only by act of
Parliament. --Blackstone.

Syn: Putrescence; putrefaction; defilement; contamination;
deprivation; debasement; adulteration; depravity; taint.
See {Depravity}.
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