I. əˈtānt, aˈ- transitive verb
( attainted ; attainted or archaic attaint ; attainting ; attaints )
Etymology: Middle English attaynten, from Middle French ataint, past participle of ataindre
1. obsolete : to prove guilty
2. obsolete : to find guilty : convict — used especially of a jury on trial for giving a false verdict
3. : to subject (a person) to the legal condition formerly resulting from a sentence of death or outlawry for treason or felony : affect by attainder
4.
a. : to affect or infect especially with disease
b. : to taint especially with corruption or poison
5. archaic : to charge with a crime or a dishonorable act : accuse
6. archaic : sully
Synonyms: see contaminate
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French atainte, from feminine of ataint
1.
a. : a legal proceeding or process formerly instituted by writ after judgment to inquire and try by a grand jury whether a trial jury has given a false verdict
b. : the convicting of the jury so tried
c. : attainder
2. obsolete : touch — used specifically in tilting
3. obsolete : a stain especially upon honor or purity : disgrace