| English Dictionary |
MACULATE
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
Dictionary entry overview: What does maculate mean?
• MACULATE (adjective)
The adjective MACULATE has 2 senses:
1. morally blemished; stained or impure
2. spotted or blotched
Familiarity information: MACULATE used as an adjective is rare.
• MACULATE (verb)
The verb MACULATE has 2 senses:
1. make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically
2. spot, stain, or pollute
Familiarity information: MACULATE used as a verb is rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Morally blemished; stained or impure
Synonyms:
defiled; maculate
Similar:
impure ((used of persons or behaviors) immoral or obscene)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Spotted or blotched
Similar:
dirty; soiled; unclean (soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
defile; maculate; stain; sully; tarnish
Context example:
Her reputation was sullied after the affair with a married man
Hypernyms (to "maculate" is one way to...):
blob; blot; fleck; spot (make a spot or mark onto)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "maculate"):
darken (tarnish or stain)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Derivation:
macula (a patch of skin that is discolored but not usually elevated; caused by various diseases)
maculation (the act of spotting or staining something)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Spot, stain, or pollute
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
befoul; defile; foul; maculate
Context example:
The townspeople defiled the river by emptying raw sewage into it
Hypernyms (to "maculate" is one way to...):
attaint; disgrace; dishonor; dishonour; shame (bring shame or dishonor upon)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something
Derivation:
macula (a patch of skin that is discolored but not usually elevated; caused by various diseases)
maculation (the act of spotting or staining something)
| Learn English with... Proverbs |
"All plants are our brothers and sisters. They talk to us and if we listen, we can hear them." (Native American proverb, Arapaho)
"Envy is a weight not placed by its bearer." (Arabic proverb)
"Hunger is the best cook." (Czech proverb)