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Added 8 October 2026

stain

/steɪn/ noun

In Latin: macula Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about stain at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A discolored spot or area caused by spillage or other contact with certain fluids or substances.
A blemish on one's character or reputation.
A substance used to soak into a surface and colour it.

verb

To discolor, as by spilling or other contact with a fluid or substance.
to stain the hand with dye
To taint or tarnish someone's character or reputation
To coat a surface with a stain
to stain wood with acids, coloured washes, paint rubbed in, etc.

Origin

From Middle English steinen, steynen (“to stain, colour, paint”), of North Germanic origin, from Old Norse steina (“to stain, colour, paint”), from steinn (“stone, mineral blue, colour, stain”), from Proto-Norse ᛊᛏᚨᛁᚾᚨᛉ (stainaʀ), from Proto-Germanic *stainaz (“stone”), from Proto-Indo-European *steyh₂- (“to stiffen”). Cognate with Old English stān (“stone”). More at stone. Replaced native Middle English wem (“spot, blemish, stain”), from Old English wamm (“spot, stain”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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