Taint — Defs

01 n. A thrust with a lance, which fails of its intended effect.

1.
A thrust with a lance, which fails of its intended effect.[Obs.]
“This taint he followed with his sword drawn from a silver sheath.” — Chapman.
2.
An injury done to a lance in an encounter, without its being broken; also, a breaking of a lance in an encounter in a dishonorable or unscientific manner.[Obs.]

02 v. i. To thrust ineffectually with a lance.

imp. & p. p. Tainted; p. pr. & vb. n. Tainting

03 v. t. To injure, as a lance, without breaking it; also, to break, as a lance, but usually in an unknightly or unscientific manner.

1.
To injure, as a lance, without breaking it; also, to break, as a lance, but usually in an unknightly or unscientific manner.[Obs.]
“Do not fear; I have A staff to taint, and bravely.” — Massinger.
2.
To hit or touch lightly, in tilting.[Obs.]
“They tainted each other on the helms and passed by.” — Ld. Berners.

04 v. t. To imbue or impregnate with something extraneous, especially with something odious, noxious, or poisonous; hence, to corrupt; to infect; to…

1.
To imbue or impregnate with something extraneous, especially with something odious, noxious, or poisonous; hence, to corrupt; to infect; to poison; as, putrid substance taint the air.
2.
Fig.: To stain; to sully; to tarnish.
“His unkindness may defeat my life, But never taint my love.” — Shak.

05 v. i. To be infected or corrupted; to be touched with something corrupting.

1.
To be infected or corrupted; to be touched with something corrupting.
“I can not taint with fear.” — Shak.
2.
To be affected with incipient putrefaction; as, meat soon taints in warm weather.

06 n. Tincture; hue; color; tinge.

1.
Tincture; hue; color; tinge.[Obs.]
2.
Infection; corruption; deprivation.
“He had inherited from his parents a scrofulous taint, which it was beyond the power of medicine to remove.” — Macaulay.
3.
A blemish on reputation; stain; spot; disgrace.

07 v. t. Aphetic form of Attaint.