stain

¹stain

verb \ˈstān\

Definition of STAIN

transitive verb

1

: to suffuse with color

2

: discolor, soil

3

a : taint 3 <a conscience stained with guilt>

b : to bring discredit on <the scandal stained his reputation>

4

: to color (as wood, glass, or cloth) by processes affecting chemically or otherwise the material itself

intransitive verb

: to receive a stain

— stain·able \ˈstā-nə-bəl\ adjective

— stain·er \ˈstā-nər\ noun

Examples of STAIN

1. The red wine stained the carpet.
2. He stained the wood a dark cherry color.
3. The accusations stained his reputation.

Origin of STAIN

Middle English steynen, partly from Anglo-French desteindre to take away the color from & partly of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse steina to paint — more at distain

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to STAIN

Synonyms

blemish, darken, mar, poison, spoil, taint, tarnish, touch, vitiate

Antonyms

decolorize

Related Words

begrime, besmear, besmirch, blacken, blur, cloud, dirty, discolor, pollute, smear, smirch, smudge, smut, soil, sully, tar; abase, cheapen, debase, degrade, demean, discredit, disgrace, dishonor, foul, lower, shame, sink; bastardize, corrupt, debauch, demoralize, deprave, pervert, subvert; color, distort, twist

Near Antonyms

cleanse, purify; dignify, elevate, ennoble, enshrine, glorify, hallow, magnify, uplift

²stain

noun

Definition of STAIN

1

a : a soiled or discolored spot

b : a natural spot of color contrasting with the ground

2

: a taint of guilt : stigma

3

: a preparation (as of dye or pigment) used in staining: as

a : a dye or pigment capable of penetrating the pores of wood

b : a dye or mixture of dyes used in microscopy to make visible minute and transparent structures, to differentiate tissue elements, or to produce specific chemical reactions

— stain·proof \-ˌprüf\ adjective

Examples of STAIN

1. There's a juice stain on the floor.
2. She has a stain on her shirt.
3. Will those grass stains wash out?

First Known Use of STAIN

1557

Related to STAIN

Synonyms

blot, brand, onus, slur, smirch, smudge, spot, stigma, taint

Related Words

black eye, discredit, disesteem, disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, guilt, ignominy, infamy, obloquy, odium, opprobrium, reproach, shame; corruption, debauchery, depravity, immorality, iniquity, licentiousness, sin, unscrupulousness, vice

Near Antonyms

award, credit, honor; chasteness, chastity, modesty, purity, stainlessness; good, right; honesty, integrity, legitimacy, probity, rectitude, scrupulousness, uprightness; goodness, righteousness, virtuousness; fame, glory, renown, repute