First Known Use: 1573
Dictionary
1taint
verb \ˈtānt\
: to hurt or damage the good condition of (something)
: to make (something) dangerous or dirty especially by adding something harmful or undesirable to it
Full 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
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Origin of TAINT
Related to TAINT
Synonym Discussion of TAINT
contaminate, taint, pollute, defile mean to make impure or unclean. contaminate implies intrusion of or contact with dirt or foulness from an outside source <water contaminated by industrial wastes>. taint stresses the loss of purity or cleanliness that follows contamination <tainted meat> <a politician's tainted reputation>. pollute, sometimes interchangeable with contaminate, distinctively may imply that the process which begins with contamination is complete and that what was pure or clean has been made foul, poisoned, or filthy <the polluted waters of the river>. defile implies befouling of what could or should have been kept clean and pure or held sacred and commonly suggests violation or desecration <defile a hero's memory with slanderous innuendo>.
2taint
noun
: something that causes a person or thing to be thought of as bad, dishonest, etc.
Full Definition of TAINT
: a contaminating mark or influence <the taint of scandal>
— taint·less \-ləs\ adjective
See taint defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of TAINT
1601
TAINTED Defined for Kids
1taint
verb \ˈtānt\
taint·edtaint·ing
Definition of TAINT for Kids
1
: to rot slightly <tainted meat>
2
: to affect slightly with something bad <One bad game tainted my reputation as the best.>
2taint
noun
Definition of TAINT for Kids
: a trace of decay
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