A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1587-1614, 1685
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Stain(e, Stayne, Stainȝie, n. [e.m.E. stayne (1547), staine (a1586), steigne (1602), steine (1610), stain (c1610); Stain(e v.] a. A mark or discoloration (on cloth). b. A blemish or imperfection (in beauty). c. fig. A blemish; a mark of infamy or disgrace; a slur ((put) (up)on a person, etc.'s reputation or good character). —a. 1587 Carmichael Etym. 32.
Labes, a stainȝie in claith —b. c1614 Mure Dido & Æneas i 165.
Beauty can not abide to beir a stayne —c. 1610 Misc. Hist. Soc. II 167.
That the cuntrie mycht be freed fra a foule stayne imposit … on it for the … cruel murther of the Ld. Darnley 1685 Kirkintilloch B. Ct. 132.
Whoesoever refuises to obey the baillies and their oficeris or lay staines upon them and will not asist them [etc.]
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"Stain n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Feb 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/staine_n>
