Word: contaminated (adjective)

Associations

Contaminated means something that has been made unclean or impure by adding harmful substances. It often relates to food, water, or the environment.

• Example 1: "The lake was contaminated with chemicals." This means that harmful chemicals have polluted the lake, making it unsafe.
• Example 2: "The contaminated food made people sick." Here, it indicates that the food had harmful bacteria or toxins.
• Example 3: "They tested the water and found it was contaminated." This shows that the water has been polluted and is no longer safe to drink.

A well-known synonym for contaminated is "polluted." The key difference is that "polluted" often refers to air, water, or the environment broadly, while "contaminated" usually suggests a specific process where harmful substances are added to something, often implying health risks.

Substitution

Other words that can be used in place of "contaminated" include:

• "tainted" - suggests that something has been spoiled or made impure, often used in a context of flavor or quality.
• "infected" - usually associated with organisms (like bacteria or viruses), not just physical substances.
• "polluted" - often used for larger-scale environmental concerns, like air or water quality.

Deconstruction

The word "contaminated" comes from the root "contain," which means to hold or include. The prefix "con-" means "together" or "with," and the suffix "-ated" indicates a state of being. The historical context includes Latin "contaminare," which means "to make impure" or "to mingle with." This reflects the process of mixing harmful substances with a pure substance, causing it to lose its safety or cleanliness.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you encountered something that was contaminated? What happened?
• How would you feel if you found out your favorite food or drink was contaminated?
• In which environments do you think contamination is a big problem? Why?