stain

views updated May 11 2018

stain / stān/ • v. [tr.] 1. mark (something) with colored patches or dirty marks that are not easily removed: her clothing was stained with blood| [as adj.] (stained) a stained placemat | [intr.] red ink can stain. ∎  [intr.] be marked or be liable to be marked with such patches. ∎ fig. damage or bring disgrace to (the reputation or image of someone or something): the awful events would unfairly stain the city's reputation.2. color (a material or object) by applying a penetrative dye or chemical: wood can always be stained to a darker shade.• n. 1. a colored patch or dirty mark that is difficult to remove: there were mud stains on my shoes. ∎  a thing that damages or brings disgrace to someone or something's reputation: he regarded his time in jail as a stain on his character. ∎  a patch of brighter or deeper color that suffuses something: the sun left a red stain behind as it retreated.2. a penetrative dye or chemical used in coloring a material or object. ∎  Biol. a special dye used to color organic tissue so as to make the structure visible for microscopic examination. ∎ Heraldry any of the minor colors used in blazoning and liveries, esp. tenné and sanguine.DERIVATIVES: stain·a·ble adj.stain·er n. (both in sense 2 of the verb ).ORIGIN: late Middle English (as a verb): shortening of archaic distain, from Old French desteindre ‘tinge with a color different from the natural one.’ The noun was first recorded (mid 16th cent.) in the sense ‘defilement, disgrace.’

stain

views updated May 29 2018

stain
A. change the colour of, †deprive of colour; sully, blemish; spot or blotch with dirt, etc. XIV;

B. impart its colour to, tinge; †ornament with colour XV; colour (fabric, etc.) with pigment XVII, (glass) XVIII. Aphetic of distain — OF. desteign-, pres. stem of desteindre. The development of sense B is obscure.
Hence stain sb. XVI; dye, pigment XVIII.

stain

views updated May 23 2018

stain (stayn)
1. n. a dye used to colour tissues and other specimens for microscopical examination.

2. vb. to treat a specimen for microscopical study with a stain.