Dictionary definition · stain
noun
- a soiled or discolored appearance"the wine left a dark stain"
- (microscopy) a dye or other coloring material that is used in microscopy to make structures visible
- anything regarded as making something unclean
- a symbol of disgrace or infamy"And the Lord set a mark upon Cain"
- an act that brings discredit to the person who does it"he made a huge blot on his copybook"
verb
- color with a liquid dye or tint"Stain this table a beautiful walnut color"
- produce or leave stains"Red wine stains the table cloth"
- make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically"The silver was tarnished by the long exposure to the air"
- color for microscopic study"The laboratory worker dyed the specimen"
Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).