First Known Use: 1595
Dictionary
1debauch
verb de·bauch \di-ˈbȯch, -ˈbäch, dē-\
Definition of DEBAUCH
transitive verb
1
a archaic : to make disloyal b : to seduce from chastity
2
a : to lead away from virtue or excellence b : to corrupt by intemperance or sensuality
— de·bauch·er noun
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Origin of DEBAUCH
Middle French debaucher, from Old French desbauchier to scatter, disperse, from des- de- + bauch beam, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German balko beam — more at balk
Related to DEBAUCH
Synonym Discussion of DEBAUCH
debase, vitiate, deprave, corrupt, debauch, pervert mean to cause deterioration or lowering in quality or character. debase implies a loss of position, worth, value, or dignity <commercialism has debased the holiday>. vitiate implies a destruction of purity, validity, or effectiveness by allowing entrance of a fault or defect <a foreign policy vitiated by partisanship>. deprave implies moral deterioration by evil thoughts or influences <the claim that society is depraved by pornography>. corrupt implies loss of soundness, purity, or integrity <the belief that bureaucratese corrupts the language>. debauch implies a debasing through sensual indulgence <the long stay on a tropical isle had debauched the ship's crew>. pervert implies a twisting or distorting from what is natural or normal <perverted the original goals of the institute>.
2debauch
noun
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