stain
1. stain \'sta-n\ \'sta--n*-b*l\ vb [ME steynen, partly fr. MF desteindre
to discolor & partly of Scand] origin; akin to ON steina to paint - more at
DISTAIN 1: DISCOLOR, SOIL 2: to suffuse with color 3a: to taint with
guilt, vice, or corruption 3b: to bring reproach on 4: to color (as wood,
glass, or cloth) by processes affecting chemically o r otherwise the
material itself : to receive a stain - stain.able aj
2. stain \'sta-n-l*s\ n 1a: a soiled or discolored spot 1b: a natural spot
of color contrasting with the ground 2: a taint of guilt : STIGMA 3a: a
preparation (as of dye or pigment) used in staining; esp : on e capable of
penetrating the pores of wood 3b: a dye or mixture of dyes used in
microscopy to make visible minute and transparent structures, to
differentiate tissue elements, or to produce specific chemical reactions -
stain.less aj