impurity

plural impurities

1. countableuncountableThe condition of being impure; because of contamination, pollution, adulteration or insufficient purification.

   Even animals in the Jewish system cause impurity only when they are dead.

   Synonyms: impureness · Antonyms: purity

2. countableuncountableA component or additive that renders something else impure.

   The impurities in the iron ore made extraction of the iron very difficult.

   1 more example

   An artificial kidney these days still means a refrigerator-sized dialysis machine. Such devices mimic the way real kidneys cleanse blood and eject impurities and surplus water as urine.

   2013 June 1, “A better waterworks”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8838, page 5 (Technology Quarterly)

   Synonyms: adulterant, contamination, taint, adulterant, adulterator, contaminant, contamination, contaminator

3. countableuncountableA state of immorality or sin; especially the weakness of the flesh: inchastity.

   With his cheating, lying and stealing, he epitomised the impurity of humanity.

   Synonyms: depravity, perversion, wickedness, baseness, corruption, defilement, degeneracy, degradation