Dis*tain" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Distained (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Distaining.] [OE. desteinen, OF. desteindre to take away the color, F. d'eteindre; pref. des- (L. dis-) + F. teindre to tinge, dye, L. tingere. See Tinge, and cf. Stain.]
To tinge with a different color from the natural or proper one; to stain; to discolor; to sully; to tarnish; to defile; -- used chiefly in poetry.
"
Distained with dirt and blood."
Spenser.
[She] hath . . . distained her honorable blood.
Spenser.
The worthiness of praise distains his worth.
Shak.
© Webster 1913.