TAINT

A thrust with a lance, which fails of its intended effect. [Obs.] This taint he followed with his sword drawn from a silver sheath. Chapman.

An injury done to a lance in an encounter, without its being broken; also, a breaking of a lance in an encounter in a dishonorable or unscientific manner. [Obs.]

To thrust ineffectually with a lance. [Obs.]

To injure, as a lance, without breaking it; also, to break, as a lance, but usually in an unknightly or unscientific manner. [Obs.] Do not fear; I have A staff to taint, and bravely. Massinger.

To hit or touch lightly, in tilting. [Obs.] They tainted each other on the helms and passed by. Ld. Berners.

To imbue or impregnate with something extraneous, especially with something odious, noxious, or poisonous; hence, to corrupt; to infect; to poison; as, putrid substance taint the air.

Fig.: To stain; to sully; to tarnish. His unkindness may defeat my life, But never taint my love. Shak.

To be infected or corrupted; to be touched with something corrupting. I can not taint with fear. Shak.

To be affected with incipient putrefaction; as, meat soon taints in warm weather.

Tincture; hue; color; tinge. [Obs.]

Infection; corruption; deprivation. He had inherited from his parents a scrofulous taint, which it was beyond the power of medicine to remove. Macaulay.

A blemish on reputation; stain; spot; disgrace.