English Explanatory Dictionary

maculate

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To spot; to stain; to blur.
  2. past participle of maculate
adj
  1. Marked with spots or maculae; blotched.
  2. Defiled, impure.

Pronunciation

/ˈmækjʊleɪt/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-maculate.wav /ˈmækjʊlət/

Word forms

maculate maculates maculating maculated more maculate most maculate

Etymology

First attested during the last quarter of the 15th century, in Middle English; inherited from Middle English maculaten (“to spoil, polute”), borrowed from Latin maculātus, perfect passive participle of maculō (“to spot”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix).

Related words

immaculate macula

Derived words

bimaculate maculism
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