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   stain

   /steɪn/

   verb

   • 1. mark or discolour with something that is not easily removed: "her clothing was stained with blood" Similar discolourblemishsoilmarkmuddyspotspattersplattersmearsplashsmudgeblotchblackendirtyget/make dirtyget/make filthysullyspoildefilepollutecontaminatefoulbefoulgrimebegrimeliterary:besmirch
   • ▪ 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" Similar damageinjureharmsullysoilblackentarnishtaintbesmirchblemishdefileblotsmearbring discredit todishonourdrag through the mud
   • 2. colour (a material or object) by applying a penetrative dye or chemical: "wood can always be stained to a darker shade" Similar colourtintdyetingeshadepigmentvarnishpaintcolour-wash

   noun

   • 1. a coloured patch or dirty mark that is difficult to remove: "there were mud stains on my shoes" Similar markspotspattersplatterblotchblemishsmudgesmeardirtfoxing
   • ▪ 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" Similar blemishinjurytaintblotblot on one's escutcheonslursmeardiscreditdishonourstigmadamage
   • 2. a penetrative dye or chemical used in colouring a material or object. Similar tintcolourdyetingeshadepigmentcolourantvarnishpaintcolour wash
   • ▪ a special dye used to colour organic tissue so as to make the structure visible for microscopic examination.
   • ▪ any of the minor colours used in blazoning and liveries, especially tenné and sanguine.

   Word 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’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. stainable adjective
   • 2. stainer noun

   Scrabble Points: 5

   • S

     1

   • T

     1

   • A

     1

   • I

     1

   • N

     1

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