taint

[L. tingo; Gr. to dye, literally to dip, primarily to thrust, the sense of L. tango; and n not being radical, the real word is tego or tago, coinciding with Eng. duck; hence its sense in extinguo. See Dye, Aittaint and Tinge.]

taint

To imbue or impregnate, as with some extraneous matter which alters the sensible qualities of the substance. The spaniel struck . Stiff by the tainted gale-- .

taint

More generally, to impregnate with something odious, noxious or poisonous; as, putrid substances taint the air.

taint

To infect; to poison. The breath of consumptive lungs is said to taint sound lungs.

taint

To corrupt, as by incipient putrefaction; as tainted meat.

taint

To stain; to sully; to tarnish. We come not by the way of accusation . To taint that honor every good tongue blesses.

taint

To corrupt, as blood; to attaint.

taint

verb intransitive

To be infected or corrupted; to be touched with something corrupting. I cannot taint with fear.

taint

To be affected with incipient putrefaction. Meat soon taints in warm weather.

taint

noun

Tincture; stain.

taint

Infection; corruption; depravation. Keep children from the taint of low and vicious company.

taint

A stain; a spot; a blemish on reputation.

taint

An insect; a kind of spider.