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
If an unpleasant substance taints food or medicine, the food or medicine is spoiled or damaged by it. Rancid oil will taint the flavour. blood tainted with the AIDS and hepatitis viruses. the appearance of being related to something bad or morally wrong taint of
A taint is an undesirable quality which spoils the status or reputation of someone or something. Her government never really shook off the taint of corruption
If a person or thing is tainted by something bad or undesirable, their status or reputation is harmed because they are associated with it. Opposition leaders said that the elections had been tainted by corruption. a series of political scandals that has tainted the political stars of a generation. + tainted taint·ed He came out only slightly tainted by telling millions of viewers he and his wife had had marital problems
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