stain

Noun

• an act that brings discredit to the person who does it
  • he made a huge blot on his copybook
    

• a symbol of disgrace or infamy
  • And the Lord set a mark upon Cain--Genesis
    

• the state of being covered with unclean things

• (microscopy) a dye or other coloring material that is used in microscopy to make structures visible

• a soiled or discolored appearance
  • the wine left a dark stain
    

Verb

• color for microscopic study
  • The laboratory worker dyed the specimen
    

• 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
    

• produce or leave stains
  • Red wine stains the table cloth
    

• 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
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  blot , smear , smirch , spot , mark , stigma , brand , dirt , filth , grime , soil , grease , grunge , discoloration , discolouration , tarnish , maculate , sully , defile