| taint | 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. To stain; to sully; to tarnish. "His unkindness may defeat my life, But never taint my love." (Shak) Synonym: To contaminate, defile, pollute, corrupt, infect, disease, vitiate, poison. Origin: F. Teint, p.p. Of teindre to dye, tinge, fr. L. Tingere, tinctum. See Tinge, and cf. Tint. 1. Tincture; hue; colour; tinge. 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. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| taintworm | <zoology> A destructive parasitic worm or insect larva. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |