I. ˈtānt verb
Etymology: Middle English teynten to color & taynten to attaint; Middle English teynten, from Anglo-French teinter, from teint, past participle of teindre, from Latin tingere; Middle English taynten, short for attaynten — more at tinge , attain
Date: 1573
transitive verb
1. : to contaminate morally : corrupt
scholarship taint ed by envy
2. : to affect with putrefaction : spoil
3. : to touch or affect slightly with something bad
persons taint ed with prejudice
intransitive verb
1. obsolete : to become weak
2. : to become affected with putrefaction : spoil
Synonyms: see contaminate
II. noun
Date: 1601
: a contaminating mark or influence
the taint of scandal
• taint·less -ləs adjective