Taint

A thrust with a lance, which fails of its intended effect.

An injury done to a lance in an encounter, without its being broken; also, a breaking of a lance in an encounter in a dishonorable or unscientific manner.

To thrust ineffectually with a lance.

To injure, as a lance, without breaking it; also, to break, as a lance, but usually in an unknightly or unscientific manner.

To hit or touch lightly, in tilting.

To imbue or impregnate with something extraneous, especially with something odious, noxious, or poisonous; hence, to corrupt; to infect; to poison; as, putrid substance taint the air.

Fig.: To stain; to sully; to tarnish.

To be infected or corrupted; to be touched with something corrupting.

To be affected with incipient putrefaction; as, meat soon taints in warm weather.

Tincture; hue; color; tinge.

Infection; corruption; deprivation.

A blemish on reputation; stain; spot; disgrace.

the state of being contaminated