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Ink vs Stain - What's the difference?

ink | stain |

As nouns the difference between ink and stain

is that ink is a pigment (or dye)-based fluid used for writing, printing etc while stain is a discoloured spot or area.

As verbs the difference between ink and stain

is that ink is to apply ink to; to cover or smear with ink while stain is to discolour something.

ink

English

Noun

(en-noun)
  • A pigment (or dye)-based fluid used for writing, printing etc.
  • (countable) A particular type, color or container of this fluid.
  • The black or dark-colored fluid ejected by squid, octopus etc, as a protective strategy.
  • (slang, uncountable) Publicity.
    • The TSA has been getting a lot of ink lately.
  • (slang, uncountable) Tattoo work.
  • * 1998 , Richard Dooling, Brain storm
    • "I saw it hanging on the wall of a tattoo hut where I went to get some ink done ten years ago," he stuttered, flushing in splotches and squirming in his chair.
  • * 1998 , The Offspring, (song)
    • Now he's getting a tattoo. / Yeah, he's getting ink done. / He asked for a 13, / But they drew a 31.
  • (slang) Cheap red wine.

    • Synonyms

    * ballyhoo, flak, hype, hoopla, plug, spotlight * paint

    Derived terms

    * India ink, Indian ink * inky * ink jet * inkstand * inkwell * octopus ink * you don't dip your pen in company ink

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To apply to; to cover or smear with ink.
  • To sign (a document) (with or as if with ink).
  • To apply a tattoo to (someone).

    • Synonyms

    * (sign) endorse, initial, inscribe, subscribe

    Anagrams

    * kin

    See also

    * dye * (wikipedia "ink")

    stain

    English

    (wikipedia stain)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A discoloured spot or area.
  • A blemish on one's character or reputation.
  • A substance used to soak into a surface and colour it.
  • A reagent or dye used to stain microscope specimens so as to make some structures visible.

    • Derived terms

    * (l) * Giemsa stain * Leishman stain * Romanowsky stain * Wright-Giemse stain * Wright's stain

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To discolour something
    • to stain the hand with dye
    armour stained with blood
  • To taint or tarnish someone's character or reputation
  • * Milton
    • Of honour void, / Of innocence, of faith, of purity, / Our wonted ornaments now soiled and stained .
  • To coat a surface with a stain
    • to stain wood with acids, coloured washes, paint rubbed in, etc.
    the stained glass used for church windows
  • To treat a microscope specimen with a dye
  • To cause to seem inferior or soiled by comparison.
  • * Beaumont and Fletcher
    • She stains the ripest virgins of her age.
  • * Spenser
    • that did all other beasts in beauty stain

    Anagrams

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