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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Taint, Taynt, n. [Late ME and e.m.E. taynte (c1400), taynt (1486), taint (1577); aphetic f. Attaint n.]

1. In legal usage: The action required for proof to be established in an accusation, claim or dispute, esp. involving the production of a substantial number of witnesses. Also attrib. with probacio or acquietancia.Appar. = med. L. calumnia. 1398–1400 Aberd. B. Rec. (SHS) 144.
Veniens ad barram Johannes Yhule cum sua probacione … producendo secum ad probandum Willelmum Foty, Dauid Thome, Thomam Yhung, Johannem Gilberti [etc.] … Produxit eciam alios, si necesse fuerat, videlicet, Patricium Crane [etc.] … ex quibus quidem, ut idem Johannes dixit fuit probacio de taynt 1457–8 Acts II 50/1.
Gif ony personis … vsys vther mesouris than thir and thar may be taynt gottin tharof be dittay or vther wayis thai sall pay the vnlawe of the chavmerlane ayre doublyt 1457–8 Acts II 50/2.
Gif ony dois in the contrary and knawlege and taynt may be gottin tharof thair gudis that ar fundyn gilty tharin to be confyskit to the kingattrib. 1398–1400 Aberd. B. Rec. (SHS) 57.
Ricardus Inchemethen venit cum sua probacione, Laurencio de Leth et Willelmo Blyndcele, tanquam cum taynt probacione ad probandum [etc.] … Dictus vero Laurencius de Leth extendebat per plegium quod dicta probacio fuit sufficiens, quia taynt probacio [etc.] 1398–1400 Aberd. B. Rec. (SHS) 75.
Asserentes quod summa excedens l s. debet probari per taynt probacionem, qualis non fuit illa 1398–1400 Aberd. B. Rec. (SHS) 141.
Thomas Johannis … in amerciamento curie quia non acquietauit se cum taynt acquietancia

b. specif. With reference to the proof of perjury by an assize of twenty-four men. Passing into c. The assize itself. Cf. also Acts V 243/1 (1632 not 1631) s.v. Attaint n.b. Reg. Maj. in 14.. Acts I 238/2.
De pena temere iurancium super assisam … Si enim iuratores deiurasse in curia legitime fuerint conuicti hoc est per taynt que vocatur probatio viginti quatuor legalium hominum iuratorum ad probandum dictam assisam deiurasse [Skene Reg. Maj. i 13, The paine of them qvha commits wilfull error vpon ane assise … For gif the assisors sall happin to be convict as mensworne in the court, be ane taynt; that is, be probation of twentie foure loyall men, and sworne to try gif the assise of twelue men be mensworne] 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Attaynt (see Attaint n.).c. a1633 Hope Major Pract. II 296.
Ane greatt assise consisting of twelve being convict of perjurie be ane taynt (that is ane assyse of 24) tynes their haill moveable goods, ar imprisoned for ane yeir, ar infamous, and will never be heard to beir wittness in judgement therefter

2. An accusation. c1460 Consail Vys Man 73.
Neuir man may preif one thé A taynt of falsat of his gud; Thow art wndone and euir thow dud For wnlawte of tung & hande Garris mony ane los baithe lyf and land a1497, 15.. Gray MS iv 3.
This is Goddis awne complaint Fro man to man that he has boucht And thus he sais to thame in taynt … Quhy wrethis thou me? I greif thé nocht: Quhy arttou to thi freind vnkynd?

b. A taint, a slur.[There may be some influence from OF teint, taint colour, tint, tinge.] 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 58.
As to Maister Knoks his historie is in hys freindis handis, and thai ar in consultation to mitigat sum part the acerbite of certaine wordis and sum taintis quhair in he has followit to muche sum of your Inglis writaris