attaint

[ uh-teynt ]
See synonyms for: attaintattaintedattainting on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
  1. Law. to condemn by a sentence or a bill or act of attainder.

  2. to disgrace.

  1. Archaic. to accuse.

  2. Obsolete. to prove the guilt of.

noun
  1. Obsolete. a stain; disgrace; taint.

Origin of attaint

1
1250–1300; Middle English ataynte, derivative of ataynt convicted <Anglo-French, Old French, past participle of ataindre to convict, attain

Other words from attaint

  • un·at·taint·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use attaint in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for attaint

attaint

/ (əˈteɪnt) /


verb(tr) archaic
  1. to pass judgment of death or outlawry upon (a person); condemn by bill of attainder

  2. to dishonour or disgrace

  1. to accuse or prove to be guilty

  2. (of sickness) to affect or strike (somebody)

noun
  1. a less common word for attainder

  2. a dishonour; taint

Origin of attaint

1
C14: from Old French ateint convicted, from ateindre to attain

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