viciate

2 definitions found

viciate - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Viciate \Vi"ci*ate\, v. t.
     See Vitiate. [R.]
     [1913 Webster]

  Vitiate \Vi"ti*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Vitiated; p. pr. &
     vb. n. Vitiating.] [L. vitiatus, p. p. vitiare to vitiate,
     fr. vitium a fault, vice. See Vice a fault.] [Written also
     viciate.]
     1. To make vicious, faulty, or imperfect; to render
        defective; to injure the substance or qualities of; to
        impair; to contaminate; to spoil; as, exaggeration
        vitiates a style of writing; sewer gas vitiates the air.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              A will vitiated and growth out of love with the
              truth disposes the understanding to error and
              delusion.                             --South.
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              Without care it may be used to vitiate our minds.
                                                    --Burke.
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              This undistinguishing complaisance will vitiate the
              taste of readers.                     --Garth.
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     2. To cause to fail of effect, either wholly or in part; to
        make void; to destroy, as the validity or binding force of
        an instrument or transaction; to annul; as, any undue
        influence exerted on a jury vitiates their verdict; fraud
        vitiates a contract.
        [1913 Webster]