impurity
Unwanted mixed material
An impurity is something that contaminates or degrades a purer substance: The water contained trace impurities.
In manufacturing and science, impurities are unwanted elements that affect quality or function.
The word extends to moral or spiritual contexts, where impurity suggests corruption or sin: ritual impurity, impure thoughts.
The plural impurities typically refers to specific contaminants, while the singular can mean the abstract state of being impure.
Violation of divine law
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
- viceBad habit or deputy
- defilementAct of corrupting purity
- taintMake impure
transgression · wickedness · depravity · contamination · uncleanness · stain · guilt · shame
Impurity added intentionally
- dilutionReduction in concentration
- fillerSubstance closing gaps
- additiveSubstance mixed in
- debasementDiminishing worth or purity
doctoring · tampering · watering down · stretching · spiking · denature · falsification · substitute
Environment-harming agent
- toxinBiological-origin harm agent
- contaminantSubstance that pollutes
- pathogenDisease-causing microorganism
- pesticideAgent destroying harmful organisms
mercury · arsenic · lead · cadmium · dioxin · carcinogen · bacteria · virus
Semiconductor-altering impurity
- acceptorOne who takes something
- donorOne who contributes freely
- p-typeHole-majority charge carrier semiconductor
- n-typeSemiconductor with electron majority
silicon · germanium · phosphorus · boron · arsenic · carrier · defect · lattice
State of being soiled
- defilementAct of corrupting purity
- tabooCultural or social prohibition
- pollutionEnvironmental harm from waste
- ablutionRitualized washing of body
mikveh · haram · untouchability · cleansing · sanctification · desecration · profane · ceremonial
Being made part
- slagIndustrial metalworking byproduct
- drossMetalwork's floating refuse
- alloyMetallic combination
- oreMetal-bearing rock
smelting · refining · oxidation · flux · porosity · segregation · trace metal · carbon content
Mark or location
- markVisible impression or sign
- flawImperfection in something
- defectInherent imperfection or fault
- stainLasting surface discoloration
discoloration · speck · fleck · inclusion · cloudiness · occlusion · streak · imperfection
sin
Violation of divine law
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
- viceBad habit or deputy
- defilementAct of corrupting purity
taint · transgression · wickedness · depravity · contamination · uncleanness · stain · guilt · shame · dishonor
adulterant
Impurity added intentionally
debasement · doctoring · tampering · watering down · stretching · spiking · denature · falsification · substitute · counterfeit
pollutant
Environment-harming agent
- toxinBiological-origin harm agent
- contaminantSubstance that pollutes
- pathogenDisease-causing microorganism
pesticide · mercury · arsenic · lead · cadmium · dioxin · carcinogen · bacteria · virus · mold
dopant
Semiconductor-altering impurity
- acceptorOne who takes something
- donorOne who contributes freely
- p-typeHole-majority charge carrier semiconductor
n-type · silicon · germanium · phosphorus · boron · arsenic · carrier · defect · lattice · conductivity
uncleanness
State of being soiled
- defilementAct of corrupting purity
- tabooCultural or social prohibition
- pollutionEnvironmental harm from waste
ablution · mikveh · haram · untouchability · cleansing · sanctification · desecration · profane · ceremonial · prohibition
inclusion
Being made part
ore · smelting · refining · oxidation · flux · porosity · segregation · trace metal · carbon content · sulfur
spot
Mark or location
stain · discoloration · speck · fleck · inclusion · cloudiness · occlusion · streak · imperfection · irregularity
- semiconductorssilicon, semiconductor, semiconductors, silicon wafers, transistor
- filthdirt, grime, dirty, filthy, muck
- germaphobiagerms, germaphobe, hygiene, cleanliness, sanitizer
- Quality ControlQA, QC, calipers, micrometers, quality check
- mitzvotmitzvah, mitzvot, commandments, Torah laws, halakhah
- ritual puritymikvah, mikveh, tevilah, ritual washing, immersion