Tarnish

['tɑːnɪʃ] or ['tɑrnɪʃ]

Definition

(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'.

Typed by Jody--From WordNet

Definition

(a.) 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.

(v. i.) To lose luster; to become dull; as, gilding will tarnish in a foul air.

(n.) The quality or state of being tarnished; stain; soil; blemish.

(n.) 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.

Editor: Roxanne

Synonyms and Synonymous

v. a. Soil, stain, sully, deface, discolor, dull, blemish.

n. Soil, stain, spot, blemish, blot.

Checker: Mimi

Synonyms and Antonyms

SYN:Bedim, bedarken, dull, stain,[See INTERPOSE]

Typist: Martha

Definition

v.t. to soil by exposure to the air &c.: to diminish the lustre or purity of to stain sully.—v.i. to become dull: to lose lustre.—n. a spot stain change in lustre of a mineral.—n. Tar′nisher.

Edited by Eva