Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- intransitive verb To corrupt morally. synonym: corrupt.
- intransitive verb To seduce (someone).
- intransitive verb To reduce the value, quality, or excellence of; debase.
- intransitive verb Archaic To cause to forsake allegiance.
- intransitive verb To indulge in dissipation.
- noun The act or a period of debauchery.
- noun An orgy.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun Excess in eating or drinking; intemperance; drunkenness; gluttony; lewdness.
- noun An act or a period of debauchery.
- To corrupt the morals or principles of; entice into improper conduct, as excessive indulgence, treason, etc.; lead astray, as from morality, duty, or allegiance: as, to
debauch a youth by evil instruction and example; to debauch an army. - Specifically, to corrupt with lewdness; bring to be guilty of unchastity; deprave; seduce: as, to
debauch a woman. - To lower or impair in quality; corrupt or vitiate; pervert.
- Figuratively, to spoil; dismantle; render unserviceable.
- To riot; revel.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun Excess in eating or drinking; intemperance; drunkenness; lewdness; debauchery.
- noun An act or occasion of debauchery.
- verb To lead away from purity or excellence; to corrupt in character or principles; to mar; to vitiate; to pollute; to seduce
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun An act of
debauchery . - noun An
orgy . - verb transitive to
morally corrupt (someone); toseduce - verb transitive to
debase (something); to lower the value of (something)
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity
- verb corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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“Shall” is a mandatory verb — implying that the man really intended to both seduce and debauch from the beginning.
The Volokh Conspiracy » Recent Michigan Prosecutions for “Seducing an Unmarried Woman” 2010
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Those that can swallow a false word debauch their consciences, so that a false oath will not choke them.
Commentary on the Whole Bible Volume III (Job to Song of Solomon) 1721
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Only the good feeling does not last — nay, the tears are a kind of debauch of sentiment, as old libertines are said to find that the tears and grief of their victims add a zest to their pleasure.
The Virginians 2006
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"I have committed every kind of debauch, I have done everything ... everything ..."
En Route 1877
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Only the good feeling does not last -- nay, the tears are a kind of debauch of sentiment, as old libertines are said to find that the tears and grief of their victims add
The Virginians William Makepeace Thackeray 1837
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Is the current theater season so delightful that you'd call it a "debauch"?
Robert Loerzel: Chicago's Theater Season Off to a Strong Start Robert Loerzel 2011
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Any man who shall seduce and debauch any unmarried woman shall be guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment in the state prison not more than 5 years or by fine of not more than 2,500 dollars ....
The Volokh Conspiracy » Recent Michigan Prosecutions for “Seducing an Unmarried Woman” 2010
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Aultimer, the statute states the elements of the offense as including “shall seduce and debauch”.
The Volokh Conspiracy » Recent Michigan Prosecutions for “Seducing an Unmarried Woman” 2010
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There is no subtler, no surer means of overturning the existing basis of society than to debauch the currency.
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This has been a surfeit of pleasures akin to a debauch...
Robert Loerzel: Chicago's Theater Season Off to a Strong Start Robert Loerzel 2011
biocon commented on the word debauch
In addition, debauch is an adjective meaning debauched.
September 8, 2011