v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Distained p. pr. & vb. n. Distaining. ] [ OE. desteinen, OF. desteindre to take away the color, F. déteindre; pref. des- (L. dis-) + F. teindre to tinge, dye, L. tingere. See Tinge, and cf. Stain. ] To tinge with a different color from the natural or proper one; to stain; to discolor; to sully; to tarnish; to defile; -- used chiefly in poetry. “Distained with dirt and blood.” Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ She ] hath . . . distained her honorable blood. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

The worthiness of praise distains his worth. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. desdain, disdein, OF. desdein, desdaing, F. dédain, fr. the verb. See Disdain, v. t. ] 1. A feeling of contempt and aversion; the regarding anything as unworthy of or beneath one; scorn. [ 1913 Webster ]

How my soul is moved with just disdain! Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

Often implying an idea of haughtiness. [ 1913 Webster ]

Disdain and scorn ride sparkling in her eyes. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is worthy to be disdained or regarded with contempt and aversion. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Most loathsome, filthy, foul, and full of vile disdain. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The state of being despised; shame. [ Obs. ] Shak.

Syn. -- Haughtiness; scorn; contempt; arrogance; pride. See Haughtiness. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To be filled with scorn; to feel contemptuous anger; to be haughty. [ 1913 Webster ]

And when the chief priests and scribes saw the marvels that he did . . . they disdained. Genevan Testament (Matt. xxi. 15). [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Disdained p. pr. & vb. n. Disdaining. ] [ OE. disdainen, desdainen, OF. desdeigner, desdaigner, F. dédaigner; des- (L. dis-) + daigner to deign, fr. L. dignari to deem worthy. See Deign. ] 1. To think unworthy; to deem unsuitable or unbecoming; as, to disdain to do a mean act. [ 1913 Webster ]

Disdaining . . . that any should bear the armor of the best knight living. Sir P. Sidney. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To reject as unworthy of one's self, or as not deserving one's notice; to look with scorn upon; to scorn, as base acts, character, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

When the Philistine . . . saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a youth. 1 Sam. xvii. 42. [ 1913 Webster ]

'T is great, 't is manly to disdain disguise. Young.

Syn. -- To contemn; despise; scorn. See Contemn. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Disdainful. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Revenge the jeering and disdained contempt
Of this proud king. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Full of disdain; expressing disdain; scornful; contemptuous; haughty. [ 1913 Webster ]

From these
Turning disdainful to an equal good. Akenside.

-- Dis*dain"ful*ly, adv. -- Dis*dain"ful*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. Disdainfully. [ Obs. ] Vives. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ OF. desdeignos, desdaigneux, F. dédaigneux. ] Disdainful. [ Obs. ] Rom. of R. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. Disdainfully. [ Obs. ] Bale. [ 1913 Webster ]