attaint

(ə tānt′)

Origin: ME atteinten, to convict < OFr ateint, pp. of ataindre (see attain); sense infl. by Anglo-Fr teinte, taint

noun

See attaint in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb at·taint·ed, at·taint·ing, at·taints

To impart stigma to; disgrace: “No breath of calumny ever attainted the personal purity of Savonarola” (Henry Hart Milman).
To pass a sentence of attainder against.
Archaic To infect or corrupt, as with illness or vice.
Archaic To accuse.

noun

Origin:

Origin: Middle English attainten

Origin: , from Old French ataint

Origin: , past participle of ataindre, to affect; see attain

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