taint Meaning, Definition & Usage

Taint noun

Etymology

Cf. F. atteinte a blow, bit, stroke. See Attaint.

Definitions

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 intransitive verb

Wordforms

imperfect & past participle Tainted ; present participle & verbal noun Tainting

Definitions

1. To thrust ineffectually with a lance. Obs.

Taint transitive verb

Definitions

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 transitive verb

Etymology

F. teint, p.p. of teindre to dye, tinge, fr. L. tingere, tinctum. See Tinge, and cf. Tint.

Definitions

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 intransitive verb

Definitions

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 noun

Definitions

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.