Taint /(?)/

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.

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.]

imp. & p. p. Tainted; p. pr. & vb. n. Tainting

1. To thrust ineffectually with a lance. [Obs.]

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.

2. To hit or touch lightly, in tilting. [Obs.]

   They tainted each other on the helms and passed by.

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.

1. To be infected or corrupted; to be touched with something corrupting.

   I can not taint with fear.

2. To be affected with incipient putrefaction; as, meat soon taints in warm weather.

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.

3. A blemish on reputation; stain; spot; disgrace.

1. Aphetic form of Attaint.