Depravity is a word that is often misspelled because of the combination of consonants in the middle. The correct spelling is [dɪˈprævəti]. The "de" is pronounced as "di," as in "dime." The "a" is pronounced as "æ," as in "cat." The "v" and "r" are pronounced separately, "v" as "v" and "r" as "r." The "i" is pronounced as "ə," as in "about," and the "ty" is pronounced as "ti." Remembering the IPA transcription can help ensure the correct spelling of the word.
Depravity is a noun that refers to the state or quality of being morally corrupt, wicked, or morally bankrupt. It is the characteristic of having a corrupt or evil nature, exhibiting an inclination to engage in immoral or vile actions. Depravity is often seen as an extreme form of moral degradation that goes beyond simple immorality or wrongdoing, encompassing a pervasive sense of wickedness in one's thoughts, actions, or character.
A person or society that displays depravity is often involved in acts that are considered morally reprehensible, perverse, or depraved. These may include engaging in acts of violence, cruelty, sexual exploitation, or any morally reprehensible behavior that goes against the accepted norms and values of society.
Depravity is often associated with a lack of empathy, remorse, or conscience, as individuals exhibiting this trait tend to be highly detached from ethical considerations. It is often used to describe the most severe forms of moral corruption, suggesting a complete disregard for moral principles and an embrace of evil or malevolence.
The concept of depravity can also extend beyond individuals to describe the overall moral condition of a society or a particular era. It is often used to critique or condemn the prevailing state of social, cultural, or political morals, suggesting a collective decline or corruption in the ethical values that govern a community.
In summary, depravity conveys the idea of profound moral corruption, describing individuals, actions, or societies that exhibit extreme and abhorrent levels of moral degradation or wickedness.
Corruption; wickedness; destitution of moral principles.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "depravity" originated from the Latin term "depravitas", which is derived from the combination of the prefix "de-" (meaning "completely" or "thoroughly") and the noun "pravitas" (meaning "crookedness" or "perversity"). "Pravitas" is itself derived from the Latin adjective "pravus" (meaning "crooked" or "perverse"). Thus, "depravity" essentially conveys the concept of a state or characteristic of being morally corrupt, twisted, or perverted.