attaint

1 of 2

verb

at·​taint ə-ˈtānt How to pronounce attaint (audio)
attainted; attainting; attaints

transitive verb

1
: to affect by attainder
2
b
archaic : taint, sully
3
archaic : accuse

attaint

2 of 2

noun

obsolete
: a stain upon honor or purity : disgrace

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English attaynten, from Anglo-French ateint, past participle of ateindre

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1592, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of attaint was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near attaint

Cite this Entry

“Attaint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attaint. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

attaint

transitive verb
at·​taint ə-ˈtānt How to pronounce attaint (audio)
: to subject (a person) to the consequences of attainder
Etymology

Transitive verb

Anglo-French ateint, past participle of ateindre see attainder

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