attaint
[ uh-teynt ]
/ əˈteɪnt /
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verb (used with object)
Law. to condemn by a sentence or a bill or act of attainder.
to disgrace.
Archaic. to accuse.
Obsolete. to prove the guilt of.
noun
Obsolete. a stain; disgrace; taint.
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Origin of attaint
1250–1300; Middle English ataynte, derivative of ataynt convicted <Anglo-French, Old French, past participle of ataindre to convict, attain
OTHER WORDS FROM attaint
un·at·taint·ed, adjectiveWords nearby attaint
attain, attainable, attainder, attainment, attainment target, attaint, attainture, Attalid, Attalus I, Attalus II, Attalus III
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for attaint
British Dictionary definitions for attaint
attaint
/ (əˈteɪnt) /
verb (tr) archaic
to pass judgment of death or outlawry upon (a person); condemn by bill of attainder
to dishonour or disgrace
to accuse or prove to be guilty
(of sickness) to affect or strike (somebody)
noun
a less common word for attainder
a dishonour; taint
Word Origin for attaint
C14: from Old French ateint convicted, from ateindre to attain
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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