debauch (redirected from debauches)

de·bauch  (d-bôch)

v. de·bauched, de·bauch·ing, de·bauch·es

v.tr.

1.

a. To corrupt morally.

b. To lead away from excellence or virtue.

2. To reduce the value, quality, or excellence of; debase. See Synonyms at corrupt.

3. Archaic To cause to forsake allegiance.

v.intr.

To indulge in dissipation.

n.

1. The act or a period of debauchery.

2. An orgy.

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[French débaucher, from Old French desbauchier, to lead astray, roughhew timber : des-, de- + bauch, beam, of Germanic origin.]

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de·bauched·ly (-bôchd-l) adv.

de·baucher n.

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debauch [dib-bawch]

Verb

to make someone bad or corrupt, esp. sexually [Old French desbaucher to corrupt]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	debauch - a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity debauchery, drunken revelry, bacchanalia, saturnalia, bacchanal, orgy, riot revel, revelry - unrestrained merrymaking
Verb	1.	debauch - corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality; "debauch the young people with wine and women"; "Socrates was accused of corrupting young men"; "Do school counselors subvert young children?"; "corrupt the morals" corrupt, debase, demoralise, demoralize, deprave, misdirect, pervert, profane, vitiate, subvert alter, change, modify - cause to change; make different; cause a transformation; "The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth pattern of the city"; "The discussion has changed my thinking about the issue" carnalise, sensualise, sensualize, carnalize - debase through carnal gratification infect - corrupt with ideas or an ideology; "society was infected by racism" lead astray, lead off - teach immoral behavior to; "It was common practice to lead off the young ones, and teach them bad habits" poison - spoil as if by poison; "poison someone's mind"; "poison the atmosphere in the office" bastardise, bastardize - change something so that its value declines; for example, art forms suborn - incite to commit a crime or an evil deed; "He suborned his butler to cover up the murder of his wife"