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tarnish
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1tar·nish

verb \ˈtär-nish\

Definition of TARNISH

transitive verb
1
: to dull or destroy the luster of by or as if by air, dust, or dirt : soil, stain
2
a : to detract from the good quality of : vitiate <his fine dreams now slightly tarnished>
b : to bring disgrace on : sully <the scandal has tarnished his reputation>
intransitive verb
: to become tarnished
— tar·nish·able \-ni-shə-bəl\ adjective
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Examples of TARNISH

  1. Some foods will tarnish silver.
  2. The scandal tarnished his reputation.

Origin of TARNISH

Middle English ternysshen, from Middle French terniss-, stem of ternir, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German tarnan to hide
First Known Use: 15th century

Related to TARNISH

Synonyms
blemish, darken, mar, poison, spoil, stain, taint, touch, vitiate

Rhymes with TARNISH

garnish, varnish

2tarnish

noun

Definition of TARNISH

: something that tarnishes; especially : a film of chemically altered material on the surface of a metal (as silver)
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Examples of TARNISH

  1. a polish that removes tarnish

First Known Use of TARNISH

1684

Other Metals and Metallurgy Terms

assay, bloom, bullion, ductile, ingot, malleable, patina, plate, temper, tensile

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