Definition of taint

• n. - A thrust with a lance, which fails of its intended effect.
• n. - 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.
• v. i. - To thrust ineffectually with a lance.
• v. t. - To injure, as a lance, without breaking it; also, to break, as a lance, but usually in an unknightly or unscientific manner.
• v. t. - To hit or touch lightly, in tilting.
• v. t. - 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.
• v. t. - Fig.: To stain; to sully; to tarnish.
• v. i. - To be infected or corrupted; to be touched with something corrupting.
• v. i. - To be affected with incipient putrefaction; as, meat soon taints in warm weather.
• n. - Tincture; hue; color; tinge.
• n. - Infection; corruption; deprivation.
• n. - A blemish on reputation; stain; spot; disgrace.