The spelling of the word "attaint" may seem confusing at first. It is pronounced as /əˈteɪnt/ and has the letters "a" and "i" next to each other, which can lead to some hesitation when spelling it out. The word attaint means to stain or disgrace someone's reputation, and it is commonly used in legal contexts. Despite its tricky spelling, attaint is a useful word to know for anyone interested in legal terminology or discussing the reputations of public figures.
Attaint is a verb that primarily refers to the act of dishonoring or staining someone's reputation or character. It involves labeling someone with a mark of infamy or disgrace. When someone is attainted, they are deemed guilty of a crime and are subsequently stigmatized as a result. In medieval times, attaint was legally used to strip a person of their rights and privileges, often following a conviction for treason or a serious offense. This resulted in the loss of social status and the tarnishing of their family's reputation.
Beyond its legal connotation, attaint can also be used metaphorically to describe the blemishing or tainting of a person's character, integrity, or reputation. It implies that someone's actions or behavior have brought shame, disrepute, or dishonor upon themselves or others.
Furthermore, in certain contexts, attaint can also refer to the depreciating or infecting of something's quality, such as the attaint of a noble cause or the attaint of a pure substance. It suggests a corruption or contamination that undermines the intrinsic value or purity of the object or principle.
Overall, attaint encompasses the idea of staining or dishonoring someone or something, either through legal condemnation, moral reproach, or diminishing the value or merit they hold.
• To corrupt; to taint; to disgrace; to find guilty of treason or felony; to render infamous.
• A stain; reproach; hurt.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "attaint" derives from Old French "ataindre", which means "to reach, touch, or seize". It, in turn, comes from the Latin word "attangere", which has a similar meaning. Over time, "attaint" acquired additional legal and feudal connotations. The term has been used in English since the 13th century with various legal and feudal senses, including the concept of being found guilty or contaminated.