Main Entry: ¹stain

Pronunciation: \ˈstān\

Function: verb

Etymology: 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

Date: 14th century

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 itselfintransitive verb : to receive a stain

— stain·able \ˈstā-nə-bəl\ adjective

— stain·er \ˈstā-nər\ noun