Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A weakening or loosening; a failing; decay; downfall; ruin.
Etymologies
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Examples
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Then collecting himself as it were, to give a heavy stroke: 'There is in it such a labefactation of all principles, as may be injurious to morality.'
Life Of Johnson Boswell, James, 1740-1795 1887
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Then collecting himself as it were, to give a heavy stroke: 'There is in it such a _labefactation_ of all principles, as may be injurious to morality.'
Life of Johnson, Volume 2 1765-1776 James Boswell 1767
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“there is in it,” he said, “such a labefactation of all principles as may he dangerous to morality.”
Samuel Johnson Leslie, Stephen 1878
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"such a _labefactation_ of all principles as may he dangerous to morality."
Samuel Johnson Leslie Stephen 1868
jboyd commented on the word labefactation
Used by Samuel Johnson of Gay' "Beggar's Opera," according to James Boswell's "Life of Samuel Johnson."
February 20, 2012