tarnish Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun discoloration of metal surface caused by oxidation
  2. verb make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically
    sully; stain; maculate; defile.
    • The silver was tarnished by the long exposure to the air
    • Her reputation was sullied after the affair with a married man

WordNet

Tar"nish transitive verb
Etymology
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.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Tarnished ; present participle & verbal noun Tarnishing
Definitions
  1. 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 intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. 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 noun
Definitions
  1. The quality or state of being tarnished; stain; soil; blemish.
  2. (Min.) 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.

Webster 1913