distain

[ dih-steyn ]

verb (used with object)

, Archaic.

1. to discolor; stain; sully.

Word History and Origins

Origin of distain¹

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

"All's the better for them to hide in," the old woman was continuing, her face a brazen mixture of distain and contempt.

From Project Gutenberg

So 1684; but 'Disdain'd' may be a misprint for 'Distain'd' (outshone).

From Project Gutenberg

To pardon or parley with rebels he thought would distain his honour.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Distain

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.

Where does distain come from?

The first records of distain come from the 1300s, when it meant “to stain or dye something with a different color.” Distain comes from French, from the word desteindre, which is based on the prefix dis-, meaning “apart” or “away,” and the Latin word tingere, meaning “to dye or paint.” (This is also the source of the word tinge). Distain’s modern synonym, stain, may come from the same roots and may simply be a shortening of distain.

By the 1400s, distain was being used to describe metaphorical stains or defilement, such as to a person’s honor or a holy site. Distain was used in this way by Shakespeare (“The worthiness of praise distains his worth”). And it was used in this sense and others by big literary figures like Geoffrey Chaucer, Chrisopher Marlowe, Edmund Spenser, and Robert Burns.

But its use declined by the 1900s, probably because it’s easier to say stain, which can also be used in both a literal and metaphorical sense.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for distain?

• stain
• discolor
• sully
• soil
• defile
• tarnish
• besmirch

What are some words that share a root or word element with distain? 

• tinge
• taint

What are some words distain may be commonly confused with?

• disdain

How is distain used in real life?

Distain is considered an archaic word and the word stain has essentially replaced it. Distain often appears as a misspelling of the word disdain.

distain => disdain (distain is archaic for stain or dishonor)

My biggest vocabulary builder is looking up words to learn why Word's spell checker hasn't flagged them. #amediting

— James Gallagher (@CastleWallsEdit) August 28, 2019

Try using distain!

Is distain used correctly in the following sentence?

By the war’s end, our armor and our souls had been distained by the filth of a dozen battles.