impure

Everyday

1. Mixed with other substances, so not pure or clean: impure water, impure gold. tree →
2. (religion, old-fashioned) Morally or spiritually unclean, as in old rules of worship. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons, impure substances are mixtures; pupils filter, evaporate or distil to remove impurities and make salt or clean water. In history and religious lessons, «impure» appears in old rules about what made people clean or unclean for worship. Phrases: impure water, impure metal, an impure sample.

Examples

• Muddy river water is impure, so we filtered it. tree →
• Rock salt is impure; we dissolved it and filtered out the sand. tree →
• Impure gold is mixed with other metals. tree →
• The chemist tested whether the sample was pure or impure. tree →
• Old laws in the Bible describe things that made people impure. tree →
• Drinking impure water can make you ill. tree →
• But they could not drink thereat, for its water was foul and impure, and swarming with snakes and frogs and toads. tree →

Note

Opposite: «pure». In chemistry, «pure» means only one substance; everyday «pure» can mean natural — orange juice labelled «pure» is still a mixture. Noun «impurities» = the unwanted bits mixed in.

In Jewish tradition

In Leviticus it means ritually unclean, in a state that keeps a person from the holy place, not dirty or wicked.

Interpretation. Tradition treats this as ritual impurity (tumah), which is not sin, and which could be removed by waiting and washing.

Examples

• And thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is impure by her uncleanness. (Torah LEV.18.19, JPS 1917) tree →
• How much less one that is abominable and impure, man who drinketh iniquity like water! (Writings JOB.15.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• They are all corrupt, they are together become impure; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (Writings PSA.14.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• Every one of them is unclean, they are together become impure; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (Writings PSA.53.4, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Opposite: «pure». In chemistry, «pure» means only one substance; everyday «pure» can mean natural — orange juice labelled «pure» is still a mixture. Noun «impurities» = the unwanted bits mixed in.