3 uses
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Definition
to spoil something so it is not desirable — as when bacteria contaminates a food; or as when a rumor makes people distrust a person
- On the tainted air broods fear.Chapter 2 (99% in)
- Her ancient university foundations dwindled and withered under the foul breath of slavery; and even since the war they have fought a failing fight for life in the tainted air of social unrest and commercial selfishness, stunted by the death of criticism, and starving for lack of broadly cultured men.Chapter 5 (83% in)
- It was not and is not money these seething millions want, but love and sympathy, the pulse of hearts beating with red blood;—a gift which to-day only their own kindred and race can bring to the masses, but which once saintly souls brought to their favored children in the crusade of the sixties, that finest thing in American history, and one of the few things untainted by sordid greed and cheap vainglory.Chapter 6 (57% in)
There are no more uses of "taint" in The Souls of Black Folk.
Typical Usage
(best examples)