[ad. L. contāminātiōn-em, n. of action from contāmināre: see prec. Also in F. in 16th c.]
1. The action of contaminating, or condition of being contaminated; defilement, pollution, infection. a. lit.
1599. A. M., trans. Gabelhouer’s Bk. Physicke, 296/1. If so be anye man hadde anye Contamination in his bodye.
1806. Med. Jrnl., XV. 501. The contamination of these glands.
1871. Tyndall, Fragm. Sc. (ed. 6), I. v. 174. No surface contamination can reach the water.
b. fig.
1620. Bp. Hall, Hon. Marr. Clergy, 24 (T.). What was he that accused marriage … of contamination with carnal concupiscence?
1792. Anecd. W. Pitt, III. xliv. 195. Such a mode of warfare was … a contamination, a pollution of our national character.
1844. Lever, T. Burke, xxx. That dreadful man, whose very presence is contamination.
2. concr. That in which contamination is embodied; an impurity.
1808. Henry, Epit. Chem. (ed. 5), 165. Nitrous gas, however, is a much more common contamination [of nitrous oxide].
