stain one's reputation
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stain — [stān] vt. [ME stainen, aphetic < disteinen,DISTAIN: sense and form infl. by ON steinn, color, lit., STONE (hence, mineral pigment)] 1. to spoil the appearance of by patches or streaks of color or dirt; discolor; spot 2. to bring shame upon… … English World dictionary
stain — I n. discolored spot 1) to leave a stain 2) to remove a stain 3) a stubborn stain 4) (fig.) a stain on (a stain on one s reputation) II v. (N; used with an adjective) we stained the wood dark brown * * * [steɪn] go down the stain go up the stain… … Combinatory dictionary
stain — [[t]steɪn[/t]] n. 1) a discoloration produced by foreign matter having penetrated into a material 2) a patch of color different from that of the basic color, as on the body of an animal 3) a cause of reproach; stigma: a stain on one s… … From formal English to slang
stain — stainable, adj. stainability, stainableness, n. stainably, adv. stainer, n. /stayn/, n. 1. a discoloration produced by foreign matter having penetrated into or chemically reacted with a material; a spot not easily removed. 2. a natural spot or… … Universalium
stain — /steɪn / (say stayn) noun 1. a semipermanent discolouration produced by foreign matter; a spot. 2. a natural spot or patch of different colour, as on the body of an animal. 3. a cause of reproach; blemish: a stain on one s reputation. 4. a… …
stain — steɪn n. discoloration, smudge, spot; liquid substance used as a coloring agent (on wood, etc.); taint or blemish on one s reputation v. discolor, smudge, spot; color by applying stain; taint or blemish someone s reputation … English contemporary dictionary
stain — stain1 [steın] v [Date: 1400 1500; Origin: Partly from Old French desteindre to discolor , from teindre to give something a different color , from Latin tingere ( TINGE2); partly from Old Norse steina to paint ] 1.) [I and T] to accidentally make … Dictionary of contemporary English
stain — 1 verb 1 (I, T) to accidentally make a mark on something, especially one that cannot be removed, or to be marked in this way (+ with): teeth stained with nicotine from years of smoking | Pale carpets stain too easily. 2 (T) to change the colour… … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
stain — v. & n. v. 1 tr. & intr. discolour or be discoloured by the action of liquid sinking in. 2 tr. sully, blemish, spoil, damage (a reputation, character, etc.). 3 tr. colour (wood, glass, etc.) by a process other than painting or covering the… … Useful english dictionary
stain — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) n. color, dye, dyestuff; discoloration; blotch, blot, smear, smudge; blemish, tarnish; stigma, taint, brand. See uncleanness, disrepute. II (Roget s IV) n. Syn. blot, smirch, blemish, spot, mottle,… … English dictionary for students