attaint
[uh-teynt]
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.
Origin of attaint
1250–1300; Middle English ataynte, derivative of ataynt convicted < Anglo-French, Old French, past participle of ataindre to convict, attain
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Related Words for attainted
imprison, condemn, sentence, sully, defile, disparage, debase, tarnish, stigmatize, dishonor, slander, defame, disrespect, discredit, degrade, besmirch, reproach, humiliate, disgrace, frameExamples from the Web for attainted
Historical Examples of attainted
The prisons were choked with attainted and suspected rebels.
Mistress WildingRafael Sabatini
Under Edward IV his lands are naturally granted to other people and he is attainted.
Henry the SixthJohn Blacman
The fifth class of 85 persons are, as we said, not attainted at all.
They proposed that the queen should be attainted by a separate bill.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.II.Tobias Smollett
He was impeached of high treason and attainted in 1715; and he died in exile.
The Journal to StellaJonathan Swift
attaint
verb (tr) archaic
noun
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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