distain

1 definition found

distain - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Distain \Dis*tain"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Distained; p. pr. &
     vb. n. Distaining.] [OE. desteinen, OF. desteindre to take
     away the color, F. d['e]teindre; pref. des- (L. dis-) + F.
     teindre to tinge, dye, L. tingere. See Tinge, and cf.
     Stain.]
     To tinge with a different color from the natural or proper
     one; to stain; to discolor; to sully; to tarnish; to defile;
     -- used chiefly in poetry. "Distained with dirt and blood."
     --Spenser.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           [She] hath . . . distained her honorable blood.
                                                    --Spenser.
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           The worthiness of praise distains his worth. --Shak.
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