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.]
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Taint, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Tainted (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Tainting.]
To thrust ineffectually with a lance. [Obs.]
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Taint (?), v. t.
Aphetic form of Attaint.
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