taint

TAINT, verb transitive [Latin tingo; Gr. to dye, literally to dip, primarily to thrust, the sense of Latin tango; and n not being radical, the real word is tego or tago, coinciding with Eng. duck; hence its sense in extinguo. See Dye, Attaint and Tinge.] 1. 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-- 2. More generally, to impregnate with something odious, noxious or poisonous; as, putrid substances taint the air. 3. To infect; to poison. The breath of consumptive lungs is said to taint sound lungs. 4. To corrupt, as by incipient putrefaction; as tainted meat. 5. To stain; to sully; to tarnish. We come not by the way of accusation To taint that honor every good tongue blesses. 6. To corrupt, as blood; to attaint. [Not in use.] [See Attaint.] TAINT, verb intransitive To be infected or corrupted; to be touched with something corrupting. I cannot taint with fear. 1. To be affected with incipient putrefaction. Meat soon taints in warm weather. TAINT, noun Tincture; stain. 1. Infection; corruption; depravation. Keep children from the taint of low and vicious company. 2. A stain; a spot; a blemish on reputation. 3. An insect; a kind of spider.