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View synonyms for

stain

[steyn]

noun

  1. a discoloration produced by foreign matter having penetrated into or chemically reacted with a material; a spot not easily removed.

    Synonyms: , ,
  2. a natural spot or patch of color different from that of the basic color, as on the body of an animal.

  3. a cause of reproach; stigma; blemish.

    a stain on one's reputation.

    Synonyms: , , ,
  4. coloration produced by a dye that penetrates a substance, as wood.

  5. a dye made into a solution for coloring woods, textiles, etc.

  6. a reagent or dye used in treating a specimen for microscopic examination.



verb (used with object)

  1. to discolor with spots or streaks of foreign matter.

    Synonyms: , , ,
  2. to bring reproach or dishonor upon; blemish.

    Synonyms: , , , , , , , ,
  3. to sully with guilt or infamy; corrupt.

  4. to color or dye (wood, cloth, etc.) by any of various processes that change or react with the substance chemically.

  5. to color with something that penetrates the substance.

  6. to treat (a microscopic specimen) with some reagent or dye in order to color the whole or parts and so give distinctness, contrast of tissues, etc.

verb (used without object)

  1. to produce a stain.

  2. to become stained; take a stain.

    This fabric stains easily.

stain

/ ٱɪ /

verb

  1. to mark or discolour with patches of something that dirties

    the dress was stained with coffee

  2. to dye with a penetrating dyestuff or pigment

  3. to bring disgrace or shame on

    to stain someone's honour

  4. to colour (specimens) for microscopic study by treatment with a dye or similar reagent

  5. (intr) to produce indelible marks or discoloration

    does ink stain?

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a spot, mark, or discoloration

  2. a moral taint; blemish or slur

  3. a dye or similar reagent, used to colour specimens for microscopic study

  4. a solution or liquid used to penetrate the surface of a material, esp wood, and impart a rich colour without covering up the surface or grain

  5. any dye that is made into a solution and used to colour textiles and hides

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • stainable adjective
  • stainability noun
  • stainableness noun
  • stainably adverb
  • stainer noun
  • destainer noun
  • nonstainable adjective
  • nonstainer noun
  • nonstaining adjective
  • restain verb
  • understain verb (used with object)
  • well-stained adjective
  • ˈٲԱ noun
  • ˌٲԲˈٲ noun
  • ˈٲԲ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of stain1

1350–1400; Middle English steynen < Old Norse steina to paint; in some senses aphetic form of distain
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Word History and Origins

Origin of stain1

C14 steynen (vb), shortened from disteynen to remove colour from, from Old French desteindre to discolour, from des- dis- 1 + teindre , from Latin tingere to tinge
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

I met him on the sidewalk in front of his place, his palms stained black with soot from picking up burned lights and banners from the night before.

From

" Israel is doing right now is the worst thing, not only for Palestinians, but for Israelis and Jews. It will forever be this horrible stain."

From

The intention was that the steel pillars would be illuminated by LED projectors and lit up in the colours of the stain glass windows of the city's Guildhall.

From

They added that with "bold and ambitious investment, we can finally tackle the systemic stain of violence and abuse" and said the "cost of inaction is one this country can no longer afford".

From

"The Tulsa Race Massacre has been a stain on our city's history... hidden from history books," Nichols said.

From

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When To Use

else does stain mean?

In general, a stain is something that leaves a mark.In youth slang, a stain is a "worthless person." In Black American slang, stain is a gang culture expression for "armed robbery."

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staidstained glass