What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Mordant vs Stain - What's the difference?

mordant | stain |

As nouns the difference between mordant and stain

is that mordant is any substance used to facilitate the fixing of a dye to a fibre; usually a metallic compound which reacts with the dye using chelation while stain is a discoloured spot or area.

As verbs the difference between mordant and stain

is that mordant is to subject to the action of, or imbue with, a mordant while stain is to discolour something.

As an adjective mordant

is having or showing a sharp or critical quality; biting; caustic; sarcastic; keen; severe.

mordant

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Having or showing a sharp or critical quality; biting; caustic; sarcastic; keen; severe.

    • Noun

    (en noun)
  • Any substance used to facilitate the fixing of a dye to a fibre; usually a metallic compound which reacts with the dye using chelation.
  • * 1964', ''In dyeing two mediums are required, the colouring matter and the '''mordant which fixes the dye in the wool.'' — , ''English Industries of the Middle Ages , p. 208.
  • Any corrosive substance used in etching.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To subject to the action of, or imbue with, a mordant.
    • Mordant these goods for dyeing.

    See also

    * (wikipedia "mordant") * mordent

    Anagrams

    * ----

    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

    * ----