attaint

1 of 2

verb

at·taint ə-ˈtānt

attainted; attainting; attaints

transitive verb

: to affect by attainder

: infect, corrupt

archaic : taint, sully

archaic : accuse

attaint

2 of 2

noun

obsolete

: a stain upon honor or purity : disgrace

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English attaynten, from Anglo-French ateint, past participle of ateindre

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1592, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of attaint was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Attaint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attaint. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Legal Definition

attaint

transitive verb

at·taint ə-ˈtānt

: to subject (a person) to the consequences of attainder

Etymology

Transitive verb

Anglo-French ateint, past participle of ateindre see attainder

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attaint

verb

noun

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near attaint

Cite this Entry