Definitions for: Taint


[n] the state of being contaminated
[v] contaminate with a disease or microorganism
[v] place under suspicion or cast doubt upon; "sully someone's reputation"



Webster (1913) Definition: Taint, v. t.
Aphetic form of Attaint.


Taint, n. [Cf. F. atteinte a blow, bit, stroke. See
Attaint.]
1. A thrust with a lance, which fails of its intended effect.
[Obs.]

This taint he followed with his sword drawn from a
silver sheath. --Chapman.

2. An injury done to a lance in an encounter, without its
being broken; also, a breaking of a lance in an encounter
in a dishonorable or unscientific manner. [Obs.]


Taint, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Tainted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Tainting.]
To thrust ineffectually with a lance. [Obs.]


Taint, v. t.
1. To injure, as a lance, without breaking it; also, to
break, as a lance, but usually in an unknightly or
unscientific manner. [Obs.]

Do not fear; I have A staff to taint, and bravely.
--Massinger.

2. To hit or touch lightly, in tilting. [Obs.]

They tainted each other on the helms and passed by.
--Ld. Berners.


Taint, v. t. [F. teint, p. p. of teindre to dye, tinge,
fr. L. tingere, tinctum. See Tinge, and cf. Tint.]
1. To imbue or impregnate with something extraneous,
especially with something odious, noxious, or poisonous;
hence, to corrupt; to infect; to poison; as, putrid
substance taint the air.

2. Fig.: To stain; to sully; to tarnish.

His unkindness may defeat my life, But never taint
my love. --Shak.

Syn: To contaminate; defile; pollute; corrupt; infect;
disease; vitiate; poison.


Taint, v. i.
1. To be infected or corrupted; to be touched with something
corrupting.

I can not taint with fear. --Shak.

2. To be affected with incipient putrefaction; as, meat soon
taints in warm weather.


Taint, n.
1. Tincture; hue; color; tinge. [Obs.]

2. Infection; corruption; deprivation.

He had inherited from his parents a scrofulous
taint, which it was beyond the power of medicine to
remove. --Macaulay.

3. A blemish on reputation; stain; spot; disgrace.

Synonyms: cloud, contamination, corrupt, defile, infect, sully

Antonyms: disinfect

See Also: contaminate, deflower, dust contamination, foul, impair, impureness, impurity, mar, pollute, smut, spoil, superinfect, vitiate

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