Webster's English Dictionary

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taint

Cross references:
  1. contaminate           
 
1. taint \'ta-nt\ vb [ME tainten to color & taynten to attaint; ME tainten, 
   fr. AF] teinter, fr. MF teint, pp. of teindre, fr. L tingere; ME taynten, 
   fr. MF ataint, pp. of ataindre - more at TINGE, ATTAIN 1: to touch or 
   affect slightly with something bad  2: to affect with putrefaction : ROT  
   3: to contaminate morally : CORRUPT  obs  1: to become weak {cannot ~ with 
   fear -Shak.}  archaic  2: to become affected with putrefaction : ROT 
2. taint \-l*s\ n 1: SPOT, BLEMISH  2: a contaminating influence  - 
   taint.less aj