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.
The inducing and accelerating of putrefaction is a subject
of very universal inquiry; for corruption is a reciprocal to "generation".
Bacon.
2.
The product of corruption; putrid matter.
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.
It was necessary, by exposing the gross corruptions of monasteries, . . . to exite popular indignation against them.
Hallam.
They
abstained from some of the worst
methods of corruption usual to their party in its
earlier days.
Bancroft.
&fist; Corruption, when applied to officers, trustees,
etc., signifies the inducing a violation of duty by means of
pecuniary considerations. Abbott.
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.
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.
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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