stain

Syllabification: (stain)

Pronunciation: /stān/

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Definition of stain

verb

[with object]

1mark (something) with colored patches or dirty marks that are not easily removed:her clothing was stained with blood (as adjective stained)a stained placemat [no object]:red ink can stain
[no object] be marked or be liable to be marked with a stain.
damage or bring disgrace to (the reputation or image of someone or something):the awful events would unfairly stain the city’s reputation

2color (a material or object) by applying a penetrative dye or chemical:wood can always be stained to a darker shade

noun

1a colored patch or dirty mark that is difficult to remove:there were mud stains on my shoes
a thing that damages or brings disgrace to someone or something’s reputation:he regarded his time in jail as a stain on his character

2a penetrative dye or chemical used in coloring a material or object.
Biology a special dye used to color organic tissue so as to make the structure visible for microscopic examination.
Heraldry any of the minor colors used in blazoning and liveries, especially tenné and sanguine.

Derivatives

stainable
stainer

Origin:

late Middle English (as a verb): shortening of archaic distain, from Old French desteindre 'tinge with a color different from the natural one'. The noun was first recorded (mid 16th century) in the sense 'defilement, disgrace'

stain in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of stain in the British & World English dictionary

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Other

stain

verb

noun

Derivatives

stainable

stainer

Origin:

stain in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

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