blemish

[ blem-ish ]
/ ˈblɛm ɪʃ /

verb (used with object)

to destroy or diminish the perfection of: The book is blemished by those long, ineffective descriptions.

noun

a mark that detracts from appearance, as a pimple or a scar.
a defect or flaw; stain; blight: a blemish on his record.

Origin of blemish

1275–1325; Middle English (v.) < Anglo-French, Middle French blemiss-, long stem of ble(s)mir to make livid, perhaps < Old Low Franconian *blesmjan; see blaze2

synonym study for blemish

3. See defect.

OTHER WORDS FROM blemish

blem·ish·er, noun un·blem·ished, adjective un·blem·ish·ing, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for blemish

British Dictionary definitions for blemish

blemish
/ (ˈblɛmɪʃ) /

noun

a defect; flaw; stain

verb

(tr) to flaw the perfection of; spoil; tarnish

Word Origin for blemish

C14: from Old French blemir to make pale, probably of Germanic origin

Medical definitions for blemish

blemish
[ blĕmĭsh ]

n.

A small circumscribed alteration of the skin considered to be unesthetic but insignificant.