tainted
UK: ˈteɪntɪd | US: ˈteɪntɪd
adj. contaminated or polluted, especially by harmful substances
adj. morally corrupted or dishonored
v. (past tense of taint) to spoil or infect something
The word tainted originates from the Middle English teinten, derived from Old French teint (meaning "dyed" or "stained"), which in turn comes from Latin tingere ("to dye" or "moisten"). Over time, taint evolved from its literal sense of staining to a figurative meaning of moral or physical corruption. The suffix -ed marks it as a past participle, indicating a state of being affected.
The water was tainted with industrial waste.
His reputation was tainted by the scandal.
The meat had a tainted smell, so we threw it away.
She refused to accept the tainted money.
The investigation revealed tainted evidence.