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 a mark on something, especially one that cannot be removed, or to be marked in this way

▪ Be careful you don't stain the carpet.

▪ This tablecloth stains very easily.

▪ Her fingers were stained yellow from years of smoking.

stain with

▪ a cowboy hat stained with dust and sweat

2.) [T]

to change the colour of something, especially something made of wood, by using a special liquid

→↑dye

▪ We've decided to stain the shelves blue.

3.) stain sb's name/honour/reputation etc

literary to damage the good opinion that people have about someone

stain ²

stain² n

1.)

a mark that is difficult to remove, especially one made by a liquid such as blood, coffee, or ink

stain on

▪ There was a dark red stain on the carpet.

remove/get rid of a stain

▪ White vinegar is great for removing stains.

wine/coffee/blood etc stain

▪ How do you get wine stains out of a tablecloth?

stubborn stains

(=ones that are very difficult to remove)

2.) [U and C]

a special liquid that you use to change the colour of something, especially wood

→↑dye

3.) stain on sb's character/name/reputation etc

something that damages the good opinion that people have about someone