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.
TAINT
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.
TAINT
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.