Dictionary definition for: Stain
1. (n) a soiled or discolored appearance; "the wine left a dark stain"
2. (v) color with a liquid dye or tint; "Stain this table a beautiful walnut color" "people knew how to stain glass a beautiful blue in the middle ages"
3. (n) (microscopy) a dye or other coloring material that is used in microscopy to make structures visible
4. (v) produce or leave stains; "Red wine stains the table cloth"
5. (n) the state of being covered with unclean things
6. (v) make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically; "The silver was tarnished by the long exposure to the air" "Her reputation was sullied after the affair with a married man"
7. (n) a symbol of disgrace or infamy; "And the Lord set a mark upon Cain"--Genesis
8. (v) color for microscopic study; "The laboratory worker dyed the specimen"
9. (n) an act that brings discredit to the person who does it; "he made a huge blot on his copybook"
WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved.