English noun: stain | |||
1. | stain (attribute) a soiled or discolored appearance | ||
Samples | The wine left a dark stain. | ||
Synonyms | discoloration, discolouration | ||
Broader (hypernym) | appearance, visual aspect | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | bloodstain, iron mold, iron mould, mud stain, oil stain, scorch, tarnish | ||
2. | stain (substance) (microscopy) a dye or other coloring material that is used in microscopy to make structures visible | ||
Broader (hypernym) | color, coloring material, colour, colouring material | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | counterstain, crystal violet, gentian violet, methylene blue, methylthionine chloride | ||
Domain category | microscopy | ||
3. | stain (state) the state of being covered with unclean things | ||
Synonyms | dirt, filth, grease, grime, grunge, soil | ||
Broader (hypernym) | dirtiness, uncleanness | ||
4. | stain (communication) a symbol of disgrace or infamy | ||
Samples | And the Lord set a mark upon Cain. | ||
Synonyms | brand, mark, stigma | ||
Broader (hypernym) | symbol | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | bar sinister, bend sinister, cloven foot, cloven hoof, demerit | ||
5. | stain (act) an act that brings discredit to the person who does it | ||
Samples | He made a huge blot on his copybook. | ||
Synonyms | blot, smear, smirch, spot | ||
Broader (hypernym) | error, fault, mistake | ||
English verb: stain | |||
1. | stain (change) color with a liquid dye or tint | ||
Samples | Stain this table a beautiful walnut color. People knew how to stain glass a beautiful blue in the middle ages. | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | dye | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | dip, ebonise, ebonize, marble, tattoo, vein | ||
2. | stain (change) produce or leave stains | ||
Samples | Red wine stains the table cloth. | ||
Pattern of use | Something ----s | ||
Broader (hypernym) | alter, change, modify | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | smut | ||
Verb group | blob, blot, fleck, spot | ||
3. | stain (contact) make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically | ||
Samples | The silver was tarnished by the long exposure to the air. Her reputation was sullied after the affair with a married man. | ||
Synonyms | defile, maculate, sully, tarnish | ||
Pattern of use | Something ----s. Somebody ----s something. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | blob, blot, fleck, spot | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | darken | ||
4. | stain (change) color for microscopic study | ||
Samples | The laboratory worker dyed the specimen. | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | dye | ||