\A*dul"ter*y\, n.; pl. {Adulteries}. [L. adulterium.
See {Advoutry}.]
1. The unfaithfulness of a married person to the marriage
   bed; sexual intercourse by a married man with another than
   his wife, or voluntary sexual intercourse by a married
   woman with another than her husband.
Note: It is adultery on the part of the married wrongdoer.
      The word has also been used to characterize the act of
      an unmarried participator, the other being married. In
      the United States the definition varies with the local
      statutes. Unlawful intercourse between two married
      persons is sometimes called {double adultery}; between
      a married and an unmarried person, {single adultery}.
2. Adulteration; corruption. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
3. (Script.)
   (a) Lewdness or unchastity of thought as well as act, as
       forbidden by the seventh commandment.
   (b) Faithlessness in religion. --Jer. iii. 9.
4. (Old Law) The fine and penalty imposed for the offense of
   adultery.
5. (Eccl.) The intrusion of a person into a bishopric during
   the life of the bishop.
6. Injury; degradation; ruin. [Obs.]
         You might wrest the caduceus out of my hand to the
         adultery and spoil of nature.         --B. Jonson.