stain

[steyn]

noun

1. a discoloration produced by foreign matter having penetrated into or chemically reacted with a material; a spot not easily removed.

   Synonyms: blot, imperfection, mark

2. a natural spot or patch of color different from that of the basic color, as on the body of an animal.

3. a cause of reproach; stigma; blemish.

   a stain on one's reputation.

   Synonyms: taint, blot, imperfection, mark

4. coloration produced by a dye that penetrates a substance, as wood.

5. a dye made into a solution for coloring woods, textiles, etc.

6. a reagent or dye used in treating a specimen for microscopic examination.

verb (used with object)

1. to discolor with spots or streaks of foreign matter.

   Synonyms: dirty, soil, streak, spot

2. to bring reproach or dishonor upon; blemish.

   Synonyms: pollute, contaminate, defile, debase, dishonor, disgrace, tarnish, taint, sully

3. to sully with guilt or infamy; corrupt.

4. to color or dye (wood, cloth, etc.) by any of various processes that change or react with the substance chemically.

5. to color with something that penetrates the substance.

6. 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.

verb (used without object)

1. to produce a stain.

2. to become stained; take a stain.

   This fabric stains easily.

stain

/ steɪn /

verb

1. to mark or discolour with patches of something that dirties

   the dress was stained with coffee

2. to dye with a penetrating dyestuff or pigment

3. to bring disgrace or shame on

   to stain someone's honour

4. to colour (specimens) for microscopic study by treatment with a dye or similar reagent

5. (intr) to produce indelible marks or discoloration

   does ink stain?

noun

1. a spot, mark, or discoloration

2. a moral taint; blemish or slur

3. a dye or similar reagent, used to colour specimens for microscopic study

4. 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

5. any dye that is made into a solution and used to colour textiles and hides

Other Word Forms

• stainer noun
• stainability noun
• stainable adjective
• stainableness noun
• stainably adverb
• destainer noun
• nonstainable adjective
• nonstainer noun
• nonstaining adjective
• restain verb
• understain verb (used with object)
• well-stained adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of stain¹

1350–1400; Middle English steynen < Old Norse steina to paint; in some senses aphetic form of distain

Word History and Origins

Origin of stain¹

C14 steynen (vb), shortened from disteynen to remove colour from, from Old French desteindre to discolour, from des- _dis- ¹ + teindre , from Latin tingere to _tinge

Example Sentences

A few gorgeous floral stencils, small sculptures and a stained glass window remain from Lloyd’s work in the auditorium of the former South Pasadena elementary school, which closed to students in 1979.

From Los Angeles Times

There were blood stains at the scene, showing the brutality of the attack.

From BBC

"I was like two seats away from the stained glass window," he said.

From BBC

But still, that’s not enough to ease the spreading stain of Epstein.

From Salon

The view itself was nothing to speak of — dumpsters, power lines, the occasional good dog sighting — but the light was generous, forgiving, the kind that makes even a chipped coffee mug glow like stained glass.

From Salon

Related Words

• besmirch 
• blacken 
• contaminate 
• daub 
• discolor 
• dye 
• smear 
• smudge 
• sully 
• tar 
• tarnish 
• tint 

When To Use

What else does stain mean?

In general, a stain is something that leaves a mark.In youth slang, a stain is a "worthless person." In Black American slang, stain is a gang culture expression for "armed robbery."