attaint

1 of 2

verb

at·​taint ə-ˈtānt 

attainted; attainting; attaints

transitive verb

1

: to affect by attainder

2

a

: infect, corrupt

b

archaic : taint, sully

3

archaic : accuse

attaint

2 of 2

noun

obsolete

: a stain upon honor or purity : disgrace

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English attaynten, from Anglo-French ateint, past participle of ateindre

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1592, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

attaint

transitive verb

at·​taint ə-ˈtānt 

: to subject (a person) to the consequences of attainder

Etymology

Transitive verb

Anglo-French ateint, past participle of ateindre see attainder