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
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
Example sentences from the Web for untarnished
British Dictionary definitions for untarnished (1 of 2)
untarnished
/ (ʌnˈtɑːnɪʃt) /
adjective
(of silver, etc) not tarnished or discoloured
not tainted or spoiled
untarnished by graffiti
British Dictionary definitions for untarnished (2 of 2)
tarnish
/ (ˈtɑːnɪʃ) /
verb
to lose or cause to lose the shine, esp by exposure to air or moisture resulting in surface oxidation; discolour
silver tarnishes quickly
to stain or become stained; taint or spoil
a fraud that tarnished his reputation
noun
a tarnished condition, surface, or film
Derived forms of tarnish
tarnishable, adjective tarnisher, 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