Taint
Taint , noun
[Compare French atteinte a blow, bit, stroke. See Attaint.]
1.
A thrust with a lance, which fails of its intended effect. [Obsolete]
This taint he followed with his sword drawn from a silver sheath.
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. [Obsolete]
Taint , intransitive verb
To thrust ineffectually with a lance. [Obsolete]
Taint , transitive verb
1.
To injure, as a lance, without breaking it; also, to break, as a lance, but usually in an unknightly or unscientific manner. [Obsolete]
Do not fear; I have
A staff to taint, and bravely.
2.
To hit or touch lightly, in tilting. [Obsolete]
They tainted each other on the helms and passed by.
Taint , transitive verb
[French teint, past participle of teindre to dye, tinge, from Latin tingere, tinctum. See Tinge, and compare 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.
Figuratively: To stain; to sully; to tarnish.
His unkindness may defeat my life,
But never taint my love.
Taint , intransitive verb
1.
To be infected or corrupted; to be touched with something corrupting.
I can not taint with fear.
2.
To be affected with incipient putrefaction; as, meat soon taints in warm weather.
Taint , noun
1.
Tincture; hue; color; tinge. [Obsolete]
2.
Infection; corruption; deprivation.
He had inherited from his parents a scrofulous taint, which it was beyond the power of medicine to remove.
3.
A blemish on reputation; stain; spot; disgrace.
Taint , transitive verb
Aphetic form of Attaint.