All 3 Uses of
taint
in
Othello, the Moor of Venice
- Vouch with me, heaven, I therefore beg it not To please the palate of my appetite; Nor to comply with heat,—the young affects In me defunct,—and proper satisfaction; But to be free and bounteous to her mind: And heaven defend your good souls, that you think I will your serious and great business scant For she is with me: no, when light-wing'd toys Of feather'd Cupid seel with wanton dullness My speculative and offic'd instruments, That my disports corrupt and taint my business, Let housewives make a skillet of my helm, And all indign and base adversities Make head against my estimation!†
Scene 1.3taint = to spoil something so it is not desirable
- Watch you to-night: for the command, I'll lay't upon you: Cassio knows you not:—I'll not be far from you: do you find some occasion to anger Cassio, either by speaking too loud, or tainting his discipline, or from what other course you please, which the time shall more favourably minister.†
Scene 2.1 *tainting = spoiling (so as not to be desirable)
- Unkindness may do much; And his unkindness may defeat my life, But never taint my love.†
Scene 4.2taint = to spoil something so it is not desirable
Definitions:
-
(1)
(taint) to spoil something so it is not desirable -- as when bacteria contaminates a food; or as when a rumor makes people distrust a person
-
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) Much more rarely, taint is used in a non-negative way to refer to a trace of something.