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debauchery

Defined in 1 dictionary — Case Law

Definitions from Case Law

From 227 U.S. 326 - Athanasaw v. United States · 1913Most cited · 130 citing opinions

To debauch is to corrupt in morals or principles; to lead astray morally into dishonest and vicious practices; to corrupt; to lead into unchastity; to debauch. Debauchery, then, is an excessive indulgence of the body; licentiousness, drunkenness, corruption of innocence, taking up vicious habits. The term 'debauchery,' as used in this statute, has an idea of sexual immorality; that is, it has the idea of a life which will lead eventually, or tends to lead, to sexual immorality.