Taint

Pronunciation

• IPA: /teɪnt/
• Rhymes: -eɪnt

From Latin tingere, tinctum via French teint (past participle of teindre ("to dye, to tinge"))

Full definition of taint

Noun

1. A contamination, decay or putrefaction, especially in food
2. A mark of disgrace, especially on one's character; blemish
3. (obsolete) tincture; hue; colour
4. (obsolete) infection; corruption; deprivationHe had inherited from his parents a scrofulous taint, which it was beyond the power of medicine to remove. — Macaulay.

Verb

1. (transitive) To contaminate or corrupt (something) with an external agent, either physically or morally.
• ShakespeareHis unkindness may defeat my life,
  But never taint my love.
2. (transitive) To spoil (food) by contamination.
3. (transitive) To be infected or corrupted; to be touched by something corrupting.
• ShakespeareI cannot taint with fear.
4. (transitive) To be affected with incipient putrefaction.Meat soon taints in warm weather.

From French atteinte ("a blow, stroke"). Compare with attaint.

Noun

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

Verb

1. (transitive) To damage, as a lance, without breaking it; also, to break, as a lance, but usually in an unknightly or unscientific manner.
• MassingerDo not fear; I have
  A staff to taint, and bravely.
2. (transitive) To hit or touch lightly, in tilting.
• Ld. BernersThey tainted each other on the helms and passed by.
3. (intransitive) To thrust ineffectually with a lance.

Reportedly from the phrase “'tain't your balls and 'tain't your ass”.

Noun

1. (slang) The perineum.
• 2000 June 17, "Marc Newman" (username), "Re: Americas are overated", in talk.politics.guns

• Sorry you feel that way. But since your mother sucks cocks in hell if I go there I won't be rotting.....I'll be on line right behind you hoping to get another good head job from your Mom or Sister....if you can remember which is which.......(Moms the one with the beard on her taint)
• 2005 July 14, "Noodles Jefferson" (username), "Re: My Wife's Raw Comments", in rec.sport.pro-wrestling

• Even her taint's raw?
• 2010 February 22, "Duchamanos" (username), "Re: Huck Finn 2010-anyone going?", in rec.sport.disc

• Did you know that guy has absolutely no tan lines? He'll show his taint to prove it!

Anagrams

• tinta, titan, Titan