'adultery' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'adulterie', where 'adulter-' meant 'to corrupt'.

'adulterie' transformed into the Middle English word 'adulterie', and eventually became the modern English word 'adultery'.

Initially, it meant 'to corrupt or defile', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone who is not their spouse'.