attaint
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at·taint
(ə-tānt′)tr.v. at·taint·ed, at·taint·ing, at·taints
1. To impart a stigma to; disgrace: "No breath of calumny ever attainted the personal purity of Savonarola" (Henry Hart Milman).
2. To pass a sentence of attainder against.
3. Archaic To infect or corrupt, as with illness or vice.
4. Archaic To accuse.
n.
1. A disgrace; a stigma.
2. Obsolete Attainder.
[Middle English attainten, from Old French ataint, past participle of ataindre, to affect; see attain.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
attaint
(əˈteɪnt)vb (tr)
1. (Law) to pass judgment of death or outlawry upon (a person); condemn by bill of attainder
2. to dishonour or disgrace
3. to accuse or prove to be guilty
4. (of sickness) to affect or strike (somebody)
n
5. (Law) a less common word for attainder
6. a dishonour; taint
[C14: from Old French ateint convicted, from ateindre to attain]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
at•taint
(əˈteɪnt)v.t.
1. to punish with attainder.
2. to disgrace.
3. Archaic. to accuse.
4. Obs. to prove the guilt of.
n. 5. Obs. a stain; disgrace; taint.
[1250–1300; Middle English ataynten, derivative of ataynt convicted < Anglo-French, Old French, past participle of ataindre to convict, attain]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
attaint
Past participle: attainted
Gerund: attainting
| Imperative |
|---|
| attaint |
| attaint |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Verb | 1. |  attaint - bring shame or dishonor upon; "he dishonored his family by committing a serious crime" |
| 2. | attaint - condemn by attainder; "the man was attainted" condemn - demonstrate the guilt of (someone); "Her strange behavior condemned her" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
attaint
nounThe American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.