Taint (?), v. i. 1. To
be infected or corrupted; to be touched with something
corrupting.
I can not taint with fear.
Shak.
2. To be affected with incipient putrefaction; as,
meat soon taints in warm weather.
Taint, n. 1. Tincture;
hue; color; tinge. [Obs.]
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.
Taint (?), n. [Cf. F. atteinte a blow,
bit, stroke. See Attaint.] 1. A thrust with a
lance, which fails of its intended effect. [Obs.]
This taint he followed with his sword drawn from a
silver sheath.
Chapman.
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. [Obs.]
Taint, v. i. [imp. & p. p.
Tainted (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Tainting.]
To thrust ineffectually with a lance. [Obs.]
Taint (?), v. t. Aphetic form of
Attaint.
Taint, v. t. 1. To
injure, as a lance, without breaking it; also, to break, as a lance, but
usually in an unknightly or unscientific manner. [Obs.]
Do not fear; I have
A staff to taint, and bravely.
Massinger.
2. To hit or touch lightly, in tilting.
[Obs.]
They tainted each other on the helms and passed
by.
Ld. Berners.Taint, v. t. [F. teint, p. p. of
teindre to dye, tinge, fr. L. tingere, tinctum. See
Tinge, and cf. Tint.] 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. Fig.: To stain; to sully; to tarnish.
His unkindness may defeat my life,
But never taint my love.
Shak.
Syn. -- To contaminate; defile; pollute; corrupt; infect;
disease; vitiate; poison.