staining

Verb

stain (third-person singular simple present stains, present participle staining, simple past and past participle stained)

1. (transitive) To discolor, as by spilling or other contact with a fluid or substance.
   • to stain the hand with dye

   Synonyms:

   besmirch, defile, sully, assoil, beclart, bedaub, bedirty, imbrue (especially with blood), bedizen, befile

2. To taint or tarnish someone's character or reputation
   • of Honour void,
     Of Innocence, of Faith, of Puritie,
     Our wonted Ornaments now soild and staind1667, John Milton, “Book VIII”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC...

   Synonyms:

   besmirch, blot, denigrate, assassinate, asperse, backbite, badmouth, befoul, belibel, besmear

3. To coat a surface with a stain
   • to stain wood with acids, coloured washes, paint rubbed in, etc.
4. (intransitive) To become stained; to take a stain.
5. (transitive) To treat (a microscopic specimen) with a dye, especially one that dyes specific features
6. To cause to seem inferior or soiled by comparison.
   • She stains the ripest virgins of her age.c. 1607–1611, Francis Beaumont, John Fletcher, “Cupid’s Revenge”, in Comedies and Tragedies […], London: […] Humphrey Robinson, […], and for Humphrey Moseley […], published 1679, →OCLC, Act II, scene...

See all 11 meanings of stain