impurity
noun /ɪmˈpjʊərəti/
/ɪmˈpjʊrəti/
(plural impurities)
- [countable] a substance that is present in small amounts in another substance, making it dirty or of poor quality
- A filter will remove most impurities found in water.
- The substance is free of impurities.
- The water contains impurities which make it unsuitable for drinking.
- [uncountable] the state of being dirty or not pure opposite purity
Word Originlate Middle English: from French impurite or Latin impuritas, from impurus, from in- ‘not’ + purus ‘pure’.