taint (subs.) Copy link Outline 1. contāgio (prop. touch2. contactus, ūs (syn. of preced.)3. contāgium (mostly poet.4. vĭtium (a blemish, fault) • taint (subs.): 1. contāgio (prop. touch: hence, t. conveyed by touch): to bring the t. (of a disease) into a country, c. importare, Plin. 26, 2, 3: to weaken the rest by the t., contagione ceteros labefacere, Col. 6, 5, 1. Fig.: the t. of that guilt is more widely spread, latius patet illius sceleris c., Cic. Mur. 37, 78: the t. of superstition, c. superstitionis, Plin. Ep. 10, 97, ad fin.: to preserve their disposition pure and undefiled from the t. of the neighbouring people, ingenium sincerum integrumque a contagione accolarum servare, Liv. 37, 54. 2. contactus, ūs (syn. of preced.): Liv.: Tac. 3. contāgium (mostly poet.: usu. in pl.): the evil t. of the neighbouring cattle, mala vicini pecoris contagia, Virg. E. 1, 50. Fig.: the t. of crime, scelerum c., Lucan 3, 322. 4. vĭtium (a blemish, fault): it is plain that the t. passed into the springs, constat in fontes v. venisse, Ov. M. 7, 533: the dying herbage thirsts by reason of the t. in the air, vitio moriens sitit aëris herba, Virg. E. 7, 57.