attaint
[ uh-teynt ]
/ əˈteɪnt /
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.
Nearby words
attain, attainable, attainder, attainment, attainment target, attaint, attainture, attalid, attalus i, attalus ii, attalus iii
Origin of attaint
1250–1300; Middle English ataynte, derivative of ataynt convicted < Anglo-French, Old French, past participle of ataindre to convict, attain
Related forms
un·at·taint·ed, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples 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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