TARNISH

tarnish

(noun) discoloration of metal surface caused by oxidation

tarnish, stain, maculate, sully, defile

(verb) 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”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

tarnish (usually uncountable, plural tarnishes)

Oxidation or discoloration, especially of a decorative metal exposed to air.

Verb

tarnish (third-person singular simple present tarnishes, present participle tarnishing, simple past and past participle tarnished)

(intransitive) To oxidize or discolor due to oxidation.

(transitive) To soil, sully, damage or compromise

(intransitive, figurative) To lose its lustre or attraction; to become dull.

Anagrams

• Hartins, rantish

Source: Wiktionary

Tar"nish, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tarnished; p. pr. & vb. n. Tarnishing.] Etym: [F. ternir, fr. OHG. tarnen to darken, to conceal, hide; akin to OS. dernian to hide, AS. dernan, dyrnan, OHG. tarni hidden, OS. derni, AS. derne, dyrne. Cf. Dern, a., and see -ish.]

Definition: To soil, or change the appearance of, especially by an alternation induced by the air, or by dust, or the like; to diminish, dull, or destroy the luster of; to sully; as, to tarnish a metal; to tarnish gilding; to tarnish the purity of color. "Tarnished lace." Fuller. Used also figuratively; as, to tarnish one's honor.

Syn.

– To sully; stain; dim.

Tar"nish, v. i.

Definition: To lose luster; to become dull; as, gilding will tarnish in a foul air. Till thy fresh glories, which now shine so bright, Grow stale and tarnish with our daily sight. Dryden.

Tar"nish, n.

1. The quality or state of being tarnished; stain; soil; blemish.

2. (Min.)

Definition: A thin film on the surface of a metal, usually due to a slight alteration of the original color; as, the steel tarnish in columbite.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition