stain
a discoloration produced by foreign matter having penetrated into or chemically reacted with a material; a spot not easily removed.
a natural spot or patch of color different from that of the basic color, as on the body of an animal.
a cause of reproach; stigma; blemish: a stain on one's reputation.
coloration produced by a dye that penetrates a substance, as wood.
a dye made into a solution for coloring woods, textiles, etc.
a reagent or dye used in treating a specimen for microscopic examination.
to discolor with spots or streaks of foreign matter.
to bring reproach or dishonor upon; blemish.
to sully with guilt or infamy; corrupt.
to color or dye (wood, cloth, etc.) by any of various processes that change or react with the substance chemically.
to color with something that penetrates the substance.
to treat (a microscopic specimen) with some reagent or dye in order to color the whole or parts and so give distinctness, contrast of tissues, etc.
to produce a stain.
to become stained; take a stain: This fabric stains easily.
Origin of stain
1Other words for stain
Other words from stain
- stain·a·ble, adjective
- stain·a·bil·i·ty, stain·a·ble·ness, noun
- stain·a·bly, adverb
- stainer, noun
- de·stain·er, noun
- non·stain·a·ble, adjective
- non·stain·er, noun
- non·stain·ing, adjective
- re·stain, verb
- un·der·stain, noun
- un·der·stain, verb (used with object)
- well-stained, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use stain in a sentence
Turns out that wool regulates temperature, repels water, wicks away moisture, and resists stains and dirt.
The red stains are discoloration from the original shade of the shirt and the holes are from natural wear and fray.
Who Designed Urban Outfitters's Bloody Kent State Shirt? They Won't Say | Asawin Suebsaeng | September 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIt has yellowish stains and looks abandoned, but seems intact.
Whatever You Do Someone Will Die. A Short Story About Impossible Choices in Iraq | Nathan Bradley Bethea | August 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAmid the spray-paint stains she had stenciled the Design Office logo.
Kim Gordon: Going Solo After Sonic Youth, and Why She Identifies With ‘Girls’ | Andrew Romano | April 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTMeanwhile, the magazine itself ran stories on how to remove stains from clothing and lose five pounds fast.
Historical Fiction: A Conversation Between Bruce Holsinger and Nancy Bilyeau | Nancy Bilyeau, Bruce Holsinger | March 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Such films will keep for years, but for some stains they must not be more than a few weeks old.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell ToddThose stains which are dissolved in methyl-alcohol combine fixation with the staining process.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell ToddDifferent lots of Wright's fluid vary, and a few preliminary stains should be made with each lot to learn its peculiarities.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell ToddNormally, the cytoplasm of leukocytes stains pale yellow with iodin.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell ToddAll stains and many reagents are best kept in small dropping bottles.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell Todd
British Dictionary definitions for stain
/ (steɪn) /
to mark or discolour with patches of something that dirties: the dress was stained with coffee
to dye with a penetrating dyestuff or pigment
to bring disgrace or shame on: to stain someone's honour
to colour (specimens) for microscopic study by treatment with a dye or similar reagent
(intr) to produce indelible marks or discoloration: does ink stain?
a spot, mark, or discoloration
a moral taint; blemish or slur
a dye or similar reagent, used to colour specimens for microscopic study
a solution or liquid used to penetrate the surface of a material, esp wood, and impart a rich colour without covering up the surface or grain
any dye that is made into a solution and used to colour textiles and hides
Origin of stain
1Derived forms of stain
- stainable, adjective
- stainability, noun
- stainer, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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