transitive verb

1. 1. to affect with something physically injurious, unpleasant, etc.; infect, poison, etc.
   2. to affect with putrefaction or decay; spoil
2. to make morally corrupt
3. Obsolete to sully or stain

Etymology: prob. a merging of ME taynten, to touch (aphetic < ataynten, attaint) + Anglo-Fr teinter, to color < teint, pp. of OFr teindre < L tingere, to wet, moisten: see tinge

intransitive verb

noun

1. a trace of corruption, disgrace, evil, etc.
2. an infectious or contaminating trace; infection, decay, etc.