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stain

(stān)

v. stained, stain·ing, stains

v.tr.

1. To discolor, soil, or spot: The spilled juice stained the carpet.

2. To bring into disrepute; taint or tarnish: The scandal stained the mayor's reputation.

3. To change the color of (a piece of wood, for example) by applying a stain.

4. To treat (a specimen for the microscope) with a reagent or dye in order to identify cell or tissue structures or microorganisms.

v.intr.

To produce or receive discolorations: upholstery that stains easily.

1. A discolored or soiled spot or smudge: a stain that was difficult to scrub out.

2. A diminishment of one's moral character or good reputation by being associated with something disgraceful.

3. A liquid substance applied especially to wood that penetrates the surface and imparts a rich color.

4. A reagent or dye used for staining microscopic specimens.

[Middle English steinen, partly from Old French desteindre, desteign-, to deprive of color (des-, dis- + teindre, to dye, from Latin tingere), and partly from Old Norse steina, to paint.]

staina·ble adj.

stainer n.

Synonyms: stain, blot¹, brand, stigma, taint
These nouns denote a mark of discredit or disgrace, as on one's good name: a stain on his honor; a blot on an otherwise clean police record; the brand of cowardice; the stigma of ignominious defeat; the taint of political corruption.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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