/ ˈtɑːnɪʃ; NAmE ˈtɑːrnɪʃ/ verb , noun
■ verb
1.
if metal tarnishes or sth tarnishes it, it no longer looks bright and shiny :
[ v ]
The mirrors had tarnished with age.
[ vn ]
The silver candlesticks were tarnished and dusty.
2.
[ vn ] to spoil the good opinion people have of sb/sth
SYN taint :
He hopes to improve the newspaper's somewhat tarnished public image.
■ noun
[ sing. , U ] a thin layer on the surface of a metal that makes it look dull and not bright
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (as a verb): from French terniss- , lengthened stem of ternir , from terne dark, dull.