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.
☞ 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.