Dictionary entry

μιαίνω

G. Abbott-Smith's A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament

μιαίνω,

[in LXX chiefly for טָמֵא;]

1. to dye or stain.

2. to stain, defile, soil;

(a) in physical sense;

(b) in moral sense: Tit 1:15, He 12:15, Ju 8;

(c) in ritual sense (cf. Le 22:5, al.): Jo 18:28.†

SYN.: μολύνω, to besmear, which also differs from μ. in that it is never used, as μ. in its primary meaning, in an honourable sense (cf. Tr., Syn., § xxxi).