stain
vb mainly tr
1 to mark or discolour with patches of something that dirties
the dress was stained with coffee
2 to dye with a penetrating dyestuff or pigment
3 to bring disgrace or shame on
to stain someone's honour
4 to colour (specimens) for microscopic study by treatment with a dye or similar reagent
5 intr to produce indelible marks or discoloration
does ink stain?
n
6 a spot, mark, or discoloration
7 a moral taint; blemish or slur
8 a dye or similar reagent, used to colour specimens for microscopic study
9 a solution or liquid used to penetrate the surface of a material, esp. wood, and impart a rich colour without covering up the surface or grain
10 any dye that is made into a solution and used to colour textiles and hides (C14 steynen (vb), shortened from disteynen to remove colour from, from Old French desteindre to discolour, from des- dis-1 + teindre, from Latin tingere to tinge) ♦
stainable adj ♦
stainability n ♦
stainer n
blue stain
n (Forestry) a bluish discoloration of sapwood caused by growth of fungi
port wine stain
n a purplish birthmark, often large and on the face or neck
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