stain
stain
UK[steɪn]US[steɪn]
v
to leave a mark that is difficult to remove on something
v
to damage the reputation of someone or something
n
a dirty mark on something that is difficult to remove
n
a liquid used to change the colour of wood or cloth
Etymology
the word "stain" entered english in the late 14th century from the old french verb "desteindre," meaning to discolor or remove color. this french term itself derived from the vulgar latin "dis-tinguere," a compound of the latin prefix "dis-" (apart, away) and "tinguere" (to dye, moisten). the core concept of applying or removing color evolved into the modern senses of marking, discoloring, or tarnishing. the loss of the initial syllable "de-" in english simplified the form to "steynen," which eventually became "stain," capturing both the physical act of soiling and the metaphorical act of damaging reputation.
Analysis
the word is a simplex form derived from a french verb. it is not productively composed of separable morphemes in modern english.
Examples
the red wine stained the white tablecloth.
the scandal stained his political career permanently.
she applied a dark oak stain to the new bookshelf.