Definition of taint

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< Taino

'tain't >

taint    (tnt) KEY  

VERB:
taint·ed , taint·ing , taints
VERB:
tr.

1. To affect with or as if with a disease.
2. To affect with decay or putrefaction; spoil. See Synonyms at contaminate.
3. To corrupt morally.
4. To affect with a tinge of something reprehensible.

VERB:
intr.

To become affected with decay or putrefaction; spoil.

NOUN:

1. A moral defect considered as a stain or spot. See Synonyms at stain.
2. An infecting touch, influence, or tinge.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Partly from obsolete taynt, to color, dye (from Anglo-Norman teint, from past participle of teindre, from Latin tingere), and partly from Middle English tainten, to convict (short for atteinten, from Old French ataint, past participle of ataindre, to attain, touch upon; see attain )

OTHER FORMS:
taintless (Adjective), taintless·ly (Adverb), taintless·ness (Noun)

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