Definition Definition

taint - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'taint' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Taint [ n.]
- A thrust with a lance, which fails of its intended effect.
- 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.
- Tincture; hue; color; tinge.
- Infection; corruption; deprivation.
- A blemish on reputation; stain; spot; disgrace.
2 . Taint [ v. i.]
- To thrust ineffectually with a lance.
- To be infected or corrupted; to be touched with something corrupting.
- To be affected with incipient putrefaction; as, meat soon taints in warm weather.
3 . Taint [ v. t.]
- To injure, as a lance, without breaking it; also, to break, as a lance, but usually in an unknightly or unscientific manner.
- To hit or touch lightly, in tilting.
- 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.
- Fig.: To stain; to sully; to tarnish.

Meaning of 'taint' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . taint [ v]
Meaning (1):
- place under suspicion or cast doubt upon
Example in sentence:
  • sully someone's reputation