Category:Taint

Taint, n. Etym: [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 Taint, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Tainted; p. pr. & vb. n. Tainting.]

Defn: to thrust ineffectually with a lance. [obs.]

Taint 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 Taint, v. t. Etym: [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 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 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.