Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Taint?

\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.