\Cor*rup"tion\ (k?r-r?p"sh?n), n. [F. corruption, L.
corruptio.]
1. The act of corrupting or making putrid, or state of being
   corrupt or putrid; decomposition or disorganization, in
   the process of putrefaction; putrefaction; deterioration.
         The inducing and accelerating of putrefaction is a
         subject of very universal inquiry; for corruption is
         a reciprocal to ``generation''.       --Bacon.
2. The product of corruption; putrid matter.
3. The act of corrupting or of impairing integrity, virtue,
   or moral principle; the state of being corrupted or
   debased; loss of purity or integrity; depravity;
   wickedness; impurity; bribery.
         It was necessary, by exposing the gross corruptions
         of monasteries, . . . to exite popular indignation
         against them.                         --Hallam.
         They abstained from some of the worst methods of
         corruption usual to their party in its earlier days.
                                               --Bancroft.
Note: Corruption, when applied to officers, trustees, etc.,
      signifies the inducing a violation of duty by means of
      pecuniary considerations. --Abbott.
4. The act of changing, or of being changed, for the worse;
   departure from what is pure, simple, or correct; as, a
   corruption of style; corruption in language.
{Corruption of blood} (Law), taint or impurity of blood, in
   consequence of an act of attainder of treason or felony,
   by which a person is disabled from inheriting any estate
   or from transmitting it to others.
         Corruption of blood can be removed only by act of
         Parliament.                           --Blackstone.
Syn: Putrescence; putrefaction; defilement; contamination;
     deprivation; debasement; adulteration; depravity; taint.
     See {Depravity}.