attaint

at·taint

[uh-teynt]
verb (used with object)
1.
Law. to condemn by a sentence or a bill or act of attainder.
2.
to disgrace.
3.
Archaic. to accuse.
4.
Obsolete. to prove the guilt of.
noun
5.
Obsolete. a stain; disgrace; taint.
00:10
Attaint is one of our favorite verbs.
So is bowdlerise. Does it mean:
to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable.
to flee; abscond:

Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English ataynte, derivative of ataynt convicted < Anglo-French, Old French, past participle of ataindre to convict, attain

un·at·taint·ed, adjective
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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World English Dictionary
attaint (əˈteɪnt) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
vb
1.  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.  a less common word for attainder
6.  a dishonour; taint
 
[C14: from Old French ateint convicted, from ateindre to attain]

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