▪ I. corrupting, vbl. n.
(kəˈrʌptɪŋ)
[f. corrupt v. + -ing1.]
The action of the verb corrupt.
| 1565–78 Cooper Thesaurus, Manus in iudicio abstinere..to refraine giving bribes, and corrupting of judges. a 1626 Bacon New Atl., Without all corrupting. 1677 Hale Prim. Orig. Man. ii. xii. 244 By the gradual corruptings of the Traditions. |
▪ II. coˈrrupting, ppl. a.
[f. as prec. + -ing2.]
1. That corrupts (trans.): see the verb.
| 1509 Barclay Shyp of Folys (1570) 107 That which is written both playne and holyly, By their corrupting and vnlawful glose..they bring to damnable heresie. 1594 Shakes. Rich. III, iv. ii. 34. 1605 Play Stucley in Simpson Sch. Shaks. (1878) 219 The way..by force or by corrupting gold, To step into the throne. 1792 Burke Corr. (1844) III. 436 Power is a very corrupting thing, especially low and jobbish power. 1839 Thirlwall Greece VII. 263 A tyranny more degrading and corrupting than any she had hitherto experienced. |
2. That undergoes corruption; becoming corrupt.
| 1567 Triall Treas. (1850) 6 How be it, it is not golde alwayes that doth shine, But corrupting copper, of small valuation. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) V. 95 Fed with every kind of flesh, whether fresh or corrupting. 1860 Ruskin Mod. Paint. viii. i. §5 When..living, we called it pure..when..corrupting..we call it impure. |