Etymology
Meaning and Origin
The word "contaminate" comes from the Latin verb contamināre, meaning "to defile, pollute, or corrupt." It is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *komt-, meaning "to touch."
The original meaning of "contaminate" was "to bring into contact with something unclean or impure." This sense is still used today, for example, when we refer to a contaminated water supply or a contaminated food product.
Over time, the meaning of "contaminate" has broadened to include any type of corruption or defilement, even if it does not involve physical contact. For example, we can say that a person's reputation has been contaminated by scandal or that a scientist's research has been contaminated by bias.
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