The Clue
Spot (5 letter answer)
The Answer
STAIN
Tags
Notes
The answer STAIN is common and appears about once every 200 puzzles.
Related Clues
Blemish
Blot
Blotch
Color
Colorant
Corrupt
Discolor
Dishonor
Dye
Ensanguine
Maculate
Soil
Spoil
Stigma
Tarnish
Varnish
Bad mark
Blemish on a tie
Cleaner's concern
Coffee spot
Gravy spot
Laundry problem
Laundry woe
Microscopist's reagent
Spill consequence
Treat wood
Trouble spot
Washday problem
Wood finish
Woodworking finish
Blot on one's escutcheon
Color, as glass or wood
Paint-shop offering
Spilled-ink woe
This goes with the grain
One may be taken to the cleaners
Definition
STAIN as a noun:
1. (stain, discoloration, discolouration) = a soiled or discolored appearance; "the wine left a dark stain"
2. (microscopy) a dye or other coloring material that is used in microscopy to make structures visible
3. (dirt, filth, grime, soil, stain, grease, grunge) = the state of being covered with unclean things
4. (mark, stigma, brand, stain) = a symbol of disgrace or infamy; "And the Lord set a mark upon Cain"--Genesis
5. (blot, smear, smirch, spot, stain) = an act that brings discredit to the person who does it; "he made a huge blot on his copybook"
STAIN as a verb:
1. color with a liquid dye or tint; "Stain this table a beautiful walnut color"; "people knew how to stain glass a beautiful blue in the middle ages"
2. produce or leave stains; "Red wine stains the table cloth"
3. (tarnish, stain, maculate, sully, defile) = make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically; "The silver was tarnished by the long exposure to the air"; "Her reputation was sullied after the affair with a married man"
4. color for microscopic study; "The laboratory worker dyed the specimen"