taint

¹taint

verb \ˈtānt\

Definition of TAINT

transitive verb

1

: to contaminate morally : corrupt <scholarship tainted by envy>

2

: to affect with putrefaction : spoil

3

: to touch or affect slightly with something bad <persons tainted with prejudice>

intransitive verb

1

obsolete : to become weak

2

: to become affected with putrefaction : spoil

Examples of TAINT

1. <criticism of her sister's singing that was tainted by envy>
2. <a tendency toward conceitedness taints that athlete's status as a role model>

Origin of TAINT

Middle English teynten to color & taynten to attaint; Middle English teynten, from Anglo-French teinter, from teint, past participle of teindre, from Latin tingere; Middle English taynten, short for attaynten — more at tinge, attain

First Known Use: 1573

Related to TAINT

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

decontaminate, purify

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

See Synonym Discussion at contaminate

Rhymes with TAINT

faint, feint, paint, plaint, quaint, saint

²taint

noun

Definition of TAINT

: a contaminating mark or influence <the taint of scandal>

— taint·less \-ləs\ adjective

Examples of TAINT

1. <that rare political campaign that wasn't marred by the taint of false accusations>

First Known Use of TAINT

1601

Related to TAINT

Synonyms

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

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