stain

A discolored spot or area caused by spillage or other contact with certain fluids or substances.

A blemish on one's character or reputation.

A substance used to soak into a surface and colour it.

A reagent or dye used to stain microscope specimens so as to make some structures visible.

heraldryAny of a number of non-standard tinctures used in modern heraldry.

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”

To discolor, as by spilling or other contact with a fluid or substance.

“to stain the hand with dye”

“armour stained with blood”

To taint or tarnish someone's character or reputation

To coat a surface with a stain

“to stain wood with acids, coloured washes, paint rubbed in, etc.”

“the stained glass used for church windows”

To become stained; to take a stain.

cytologyhistologyTo treat (a microscopic specimen) with a dye, especially one that dyes specific features

To cause to seem inferior or soiled by comparison.

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”

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”

“Her reputation was sullied after the affair with a married man”

Color for microscopic study

“The laboratory worker dyed the specimen”