Pronunciation: [ɪmpjˈʊɹɪti] (IPA) 
The word "impurity" (\ɪmˈpjʊrɪti\) is spelled with an "i" after the "m" because it is a prefix, "im-", meaning "not" or "lacking". The root word "purity" is spelled with a "u" because it comes from the Latin "puritas", which has a "u" in it. The "y" at the end of the root word is replaced by an "i" in the suffix "-ity" to indicate that it is a noun. Thus, the spelling of "impurity" makes sense phonetically and etymologically.
Impurity is a noun that refers to the state or quality of being impure. It is often used to describe something that is contaminated, tainted, or defiled in some way.
In a physical sense, impurity refers to the presence of substances or elements that are foreign or undesirable, either naturally or as a result of contamination. For example, impurities in water include pollutants, minerals, or bacteria that make it unsuitable for consumption or use. Similarly, impurities in metals can affect their mechanical or chemical properties, making them less pure and potentially less valuable.
In a metaphorical or moral sense, impurity refers to things that are corrupt, unclean, or morally tainted. It is associated with behaviors, thoughts, or intentions that violate societal or ethical standards. For instance, dishonesty, greed, or deceit are considered impurities in one's character or actions.
The concept of impurity is often subjective and varies across cultures, religions, or contexts. In some cultural or religious traditions, impurity is considered a spiritual or ritualistic issue that requires purification rituals or practices to cleanse oneself from the perceived contamination.
Overall, impurity denotes the state of being tainted or defiled, whether in a physical, meta-physical, or moral sense. It is used to describe something that lacks purity or is characterized by elements, substances, or qualities that are undesirable, unclean, or corrupt.
Foulness; any foul matter; want of purity; want of holiness.
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 "impurity" has its roots in the Latin word "impuritas", which is a combination of the prefix "im-" (meaning "not" or "lack of") and the noun "puritas" (meaning "purity"). "Puritas" itself comes from the adjective "purus" (meaning "pure"). Therefore, "impurity" can be understood as the state or quality of not being pure or clean.
