tarnish
[ tahr-nish ]
/ ˈtɑr nɪʃ /
verb (used with object)
to dull the luster of (a metallic surface), especially by oxidation; discolor.
to diminish or destroy the purity of; stain; sully: The scandal tarnished his reputation.
verb (used without object)
to grow dull or discolored; lose luster.
to become sullied.
noun
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Origin of tarnish
1590–1600; < Middle French terniss-, long stem of ternir to dull, deaden, derivative of terne dull, wan < Germanic; compare Old High German tarni, cognate with Old Saxon derni, Old English dierne hidden, obscure; see -ish2
OTHER WORDS FROM tarnish
Words nearby tarnish
tarn, tarn-et-garonne, tarnal, tarnation, tarne, tarnish, tarnished plant bug, tarnopol, tarnów, taro, tarok
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for tarnish
British Dictionary definitions for tarnish
tarnish
/ (ˈtɑːnɪʃ) /
verb
to lose or cause to lose the shine, esp by exposure to air or moisture resulting in surface oxidation; discoloursilver tarnishes quickly
to stain or become stained; taint or spoila fraud that tarnished his reputation
noun
a tarnished condition, surface, or film
Derived forms of tarnish
tarnishable, adjectivetarnisher, nounWord Origin for tarnish
C16: from Old French ternir to make dull, from terne lustreless, of Germanic origin; related to Old High German tarnen to conceal, Old English dierne hidden
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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