In the 16th century, Turkish women could divorce their husbands if the man failed to keep his family’s pot filled with coffee.
distaining
present participle of distain
Source: Wiktionary
Dis*tain", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Distained; p. pr. & vb. n. Distaining.] Etym: [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.]
Definition: 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. [She] hath . . . distained her honorable blood. Spenser. The worthiness of praise distains his worth. Shak.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
19 May 2025
(adjective) of or made from or using substances produced by or used in reactions involving atomic or molecular changes; “chemical fertilizer”
In the 16th century, Turkish women could divorce their husbands if the man failed to keep his family’s pot filled with coffee.