'Tarnish' definitions:

Definition of 'tarnish'

From: WordNet
noun
Discoloration of metal surface caused by oxidation
verb
Make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically; "The silver was tarnished by the long exposure to the air"; "Her reputation was sullied after the affair with a married man" [syn: tarnish, stain, maculate, sully, defile]

Definition of 'Tarnish'

From: GCIDE
  • Tarnish \Tar"nish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tarnished; p. pr. & vb. n. Tarnishing.] [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.] 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. [1913 Webster]
  • Syn: To sully; stain; dim. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Tarnish'

From: GCIDE
  • Tarnish \Tar"nish\, v. i. To lose luster; to become dull; as, gilding will tarnish in a foul air. [1913 Webster]
  • Till thy fresh glories, which now shine so bright, Grow stale and tarnish with our daily sight. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Tarnish'

From: GCIDE
  • Tarnish \Tar"nish\, n.
  • 1. The quality or state of being tarnished; stain; soil; blemish. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]

Words containing 'Tarnish'