See Also: attaint(medicine)
attaint(1)(dictionary)
attaint(2)(dictionary)
attaint(3)(dictionary)
ATTAINT, English law(law)
AUTREFOIS ATTAINT, crim(law)

attaint(3) (iou)



attaint verb trans. ME.
[from ATTAINT adjective: infl. by TAINT verb.]
Touch, reach, strike; accomplish, get at. ME-M16.
Convict, prove guilty. LME-M18.
Subject to attainder. LME.
Hobbes To be attainted is, that his Blood be held in Law, as stained and corrupted. H. P. Brougham On Edward IV's victory, they unanimously attainted Henry IV.
Accuse of crime, dishonour, etc. arch. E16.
W. D. Howells Who are you to attaint me of unworthy motives?
Affect or infect with disease, contagion, corruption, etc.; sully, taint. E16.
J. Skelton They be so attaynted With coveytous and ambycyon. Spenser Lest she with blame her honour should attaint. Dryden The same shivering sweat his lord attaints. De Quincey Even to have kicked an outsider might have been held to attaint the foot.
attaintment noun (rare) conviction, attainder M16.
attainture noun conviction; attainder; imputation of dishonour, stain: M16-M17.