attaint

[ 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

1. Obsolete. a stain; disgrace; taint.

attaint

/ əˈteɪnt /

verb

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)

noun

1. a less common word for attainder
2. a dishonour; taint

Other Words From

• unat·tainted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of attaint¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of attaint¹

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

Example Sentences

Now Parliament was called on by the king himself to attaint his ministers and his Queens.

From Project Gutenberg

Others of his following failed not in the "attaint," and horses and troopers floundered in the sand.

From Project Gutenberg

It is proposed to attaint men for religion, and also for birth.

From Project Gutenberg

Hereditaryship is, in this sense, as much an attaint upon principle, as an outrage upon society.

From Project Gutenberg

It is an attaint upon character; a sort of privateering on family property.

From Project Gutenberg