pol·lute [ pə lt ](past and past participlepol·lut·ed, present participlepol·lut·ing, 3rd person present singularpol·lutes)
transitive verb
Definition:
1. contaminate something: to make something impure or unclean, or cause harm to an area of the natural environment, usually by introducing chemicals, waste products, or similarly damaging or poisonous substances
2. corrupt or defile somebody: to make somebody morally or spiritually impure
3. desecrate something: to violate the sacred nature of a holy place
[14th century. < Latin pollut-, past participle of polluere< Indo-European, "dirt, make dirty"]
