distain

verb

dis·​tain dis-ˈtān How to pronounce distain (audio)
distained; distaining; distains

transitive verb

1
archaic : stain
2
archaic : dishonor

Examples of distain in a Sentence

weary soldiers with hands distained with blood

Word History

Etymology

Middle English disteynen, from Anglo-French desteindre to take away the color of, from de- + teindre to dye, from Latin tingere to wet, dye — more at tinge

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near distain

Cite this Entry

“Distain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distain. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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