▪ I. distain, v. arch.
(dɪˈsteɪn)
Forms: 4 de-, disteign, 4–6 de-, disteyne, 5 destayne, 5–6 dysteyn, 5–7 distayn(e, 6 desteine, Sc. distene, (pa. pple. distaint), 6–7 destaine, distein(e, distaine, 6–9 destain, 6– distain.
[a. OF. desteindre (stem desteign-), mod.F. déteindre = Pr. destengner, Sp. desteñir, Com. Rom. f. des-, dis- 1 + L. tingĕre to dye, colour, tinge. The prefix has been conformed to the L. type.]
1. trans. To imbue or stain (a thing) with a colour different from the natural one; to discolour, stain, dye, tinge.
| 1393 Gower Conf. I. 65 Whan his visage is so desteigned. 1586 Marlowe 1st Pt. Tamburl. iii. ii, The tears that so distain my cheeks. 1590 Spenser F.Q. iii. xlix. 9, I found her golden girdle cast astray Distaynd with durt and blood. 1612 Drayton Poly-olb. viii. 113 The Romans that her streame distained with their gore. 1704 Oldmixon Blenheim iii. 11 Whose golden Sands are now distain'd with Blood. 1839 Bailey Festus xxi. (1852) 382 Like autumn's leaves distained with dusky gold. |
2. transf. and fig. To defile; to bring a blot or stain upon; to sully, dishonour.
| 1406 Hoccleve Misrule 340 Among an heep my name is now desteyned. 1436 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 159 Make fade the floures Of Englysshe state, and disteyne oure honnoures. 1594 Shakes. Rich. III, v. iii. 322 You hauing Lands, and blest with beauteous wiues, They would restraine the one, distaine the other. a 1622 Ainsworth Annot. Song Sol. v. 3, I washt my feet, how shall I them distaine? c 1750 Shenstone Elegies ix. 39 A soul distain'd by earth and gold. 1788 Burns Macpherson's Farewell v, May coward shame distain his name, The wretch that dare not die! 1873 Morris Love is Enough 107 Surely no shame hath destained thee. 1873–4 Dixon Two Queens IV. xx. vi. 93 You would not that..I should so distain mine honour or conscience. |
† 3. To deprive of its colour, brightness, or splendour; to dim; to cause to pale or look dim; to outshine. Obs.
| c 1385 Chaucer L. G. W. 216 Alceste is here that al that may desteyne. Ibid. 274 (Fairf. MS.) As the sonne wole the fire disteyne So passeth al my lady souereyne. 1633 P. Fletcher Purple Isl. vi. ix, These lights the Sunne distain. |
Hence diˈstained ppl. a., diˈstaining vbl. n.
| a 1483 Liber Niger in Househ. Ord. 69 Which mought be made..ne ware the adventure of distaynynge of all that other part. 1580 Hollyband Treas. Fr. Tong, Enlaidissement, a dishonestie, a distayning, a defiling. 1590 Marlowe 2nd Pt. Tamburl. iv. i, Shame of nature, which Jaertis' stream..Can never wash from thy distainèd brows! 1838 Lytton Calderon viii, Distained and time-hallowed walls. |
▪ II. † diˈstain, n. Obs. rare—1.
[f. prec. vb.]
Tint, stain, colouring.
| 1581 Rich Farewell (1846) 133 To furnishe me with colours to make the perfect distaine of the beautie in your face. |