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stain

Pronunciation: /steɪn/
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Definition of stain

verb

[with object]
  • 1mark or discolour with something that is not easily removed:her clothing was stained with blood (as adjective stained)a stained beer mat [no object]:red powder paint 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
  • 2colour (a material or object) by applying a penetrative dye or chemical:wood can always be stained to a darker shade

noun

  • 1a coloured 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 gaol as a stain on his character
  • 2a penetrative dye or chemical used in colouring a material or object.
  • Biology a special dye used to colour organic tissue so as to make the structure visible for microscopic examination.
  • Heraldry any of the minor colours used in blazoning and liveries, especially tenné and sanguine.

Derivatives

stainable

adjective

stainer

noun

Origin:

late Middle English (as a verb): shortening of archaic distain, from Old French desteindre 'tinge with a colour 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 US English dictionary

Nearby words

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