distain
Americanverb (used with object)
Usage
What does distain mean? Distain is a misspelling of disdain, but it’s also an archaic word that means to stain or discolor something.Distain is archaic, meaning it was once in common use but is now used very rarely. You’re most likely to see distain as a misspelling of the word disdain (which can be pronounced exactly the same as distain). To disdain something is to despise it.Example: “I distain white tablecloths,” said the red wine disdainfully.
Etymology
Origin of distain
1350–1400; Middle English desteignen < Anglo-French, Middle French desteign-, stem of desteindre, equivalent to des- dis- 1 + teindre < Latin tingere to dye, tinge
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Chinese embassy in Canberra responded with distain.
From Reuters
"Unlike some who have dug their heals in the belief that police are inherently evil, I think if you yourself actually sat down and had a real honest and open conversation with a cop, there is a strong chance you may discover we are not the monsters you have come to believe we are, who deserve the hate and distain you have," Joseph continued.
From Fox News
Her despair upon seeing her son, and refusal to ask him for financial assistance, clearly illustrates the historical and cultural distain for tax collectors - who were viewed at the time as robbing from the Jews.
From Fox News
Early on in the episode, the show depicts an interaction between Nicodemus and a Roman official, an interaction that is not found in the Bible, but serves to bring to light the distain the Romans had for the "preacher."
From Fox News
Added Chad Jones, Another Lane’s 42-year-old chief operating officer, with a tinge of distain in his voice: “You know how you combat somebody who you think is getting too many pairs of sneakers and just in it to resell them for as much as possible? You don’t buy from him. It’s that simple. And then when he’s stuck with $100,000 worth of product and can’t pay that credit card bill back from mommy, then he’s out.”
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
