Corruption - Definition

n 1: lack of integrity or honesty (especially susceptibility to
bribery); use of a position of trust for dishonest gain
[syn: corruptness, corruption] [ant: incorruption,
incorruptness]
2: in a state of progressive putrefaction [syn: putrescence,
putridness, rottenness, corruption]
3: decay of matter (as by rot or oxidation)
4: moral perversion; impairment of virtue and moral principles;
"the luxury and corruption among the upper classes"; "moral
degeneracy followed intellectual degeneration"; "its
brothels, its opium parlors, its depravity"; "Rome had fallen
into moral putrefaction" [syn: corruption, degeneracy,
depravation, depravity, putrefaction]
5: destroying someone's (or some group's) honesty or loyalty;
undermining moral integrity; "corruption of a minor"; "the
big city's subversion of rural innocence" [syn: corruption,
subversion]
6: inducement (as of a public official) by improper means (as
bribery) to violate duty (as by commiting a felony); "he was
held on charges of corruption and racketeering"