1570s, "to corrupt, contaminate," also "to touch, tinge, imbue slightly" (1590s), from Middle English teynten "to convict, prove guilty" (late 14c.), partly from Old French ataint, past participle of ataindre "to touch upon, seize" (see attainder). Also from Anglo-French teinter "to color, dye" (early 15c.), from Old French teint (12c.), past participle of teindre "to dye, color," from Latin tingere (see tincture). Related: Tainted; tainting.
taint (n.)
c. 1600, "stain, spot," from Old French teint "color, hue, dye, stain," from Latin tinctus "a dyeing," from tingere "to dye" (see tincture). Meaning "a moral stain, corruption, contaminating influence" is from 1610s.
实用例句
1. Her government never really shook off the taint of corruption.
她的政府从来没有真正摆脱掉腐败的阴影。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Rancid oil will taint the flavour.
变质的油会破坏味道。
来自柯林斯例句
3. Bad books will taint the young mind.
坏书会毒害年青人的思想.
来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
4. She could smell the taint of sin in the most innocent of passions.
哪怕是再纯真的恋情她也能从中嗅出罪恶的味道。
来自柯林斯例句
5. There seems to be a taint of drunkenness in his family.
