'Taint' definitions:

Definition of 'taint'

From: WordNet
noun
The state of being contaminated [syn: contamination, taint]
verb
Place under suspicion or cast doubt upon; "sully someone's reputation" [syn: defile, sully, corrupt, taint, cloud]
verb
Contaminate with a disease or microorganism [syn: infect, taint] [ant: disinfect]

Definition of 'Taint'

From: GCIDE
  • Taint \Taint\, n.
  • 1. Tincture; hue; color; tinge. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Infection; corruption; deprivation. [1913 Webster]
  • He had inherited from his parents a scrofulous taint, which it was beyond the power of medicine to remove. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. A blemish on reputation; stain; spot; disgrace. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Taint'

From: GCIDE
  • Taint \Taint\, v. i.
  • 1. To be infected or corrupted; to be touched with something corrupting. [1913 Webster]
  • I can not taint with fear. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To be affected with incipient putrefaction; as, meat soon taints in warm weather. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Taint'

From: GCIDE
  • Taint \Taint\, n. [Cf. F. atteinte a blow, bit, stroke. See Attaint.]
  • 1. A thrust with a lance, which fails of its intended effect. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • This taint he followed with his sword drawn from a silver sheath. --Chapman. [1913 Webster]
  • 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.] [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Taint'

From: GCIDE
  • Taint \Taint\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Tainted; p. pr. & vb. n. Tainting.] To thrust ineffectually with a lance. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Taint'

From: GCIDE
  • 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.] [1913 Webster]
  • Do not fear; I have A staff to taint, and bravely. --Massinger. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To hit or touch lightly, in tilting. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • They tainted each other on the helms and passed by. --Ld. Berners. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Taint'

From: GCIDE
  • Taint \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. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Fig.: To stain; to sully; to tarnish. [1913 Webster]
  • His unkindness may defeat my life, But never taint my love. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • Syn: To contaminate; defile; pollute; corrupt; infect; disease; vitiate; poison. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Taint'

From: GCIDE
  • Taint \Taint\, v. t. Aphetic form of Attaint. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

Synonyms of 'taint'

From: Moby Thesaurus