TARNISH


Meaning of TARNISH in English

I. ˈtär-nish verb

Etymology: Middle English ternysshen, from Middle French terniss-, stem of ternir, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German tarnan to hide

Date: 15th century

transitive verb

1. : to dull or destroy the luster of by or as if by air, dust, or dirt : soil , stain

2.

a. : to detract from the good quality of : vitiate

his fine dreams now slightly tarnish ed

b. : to bring disgrace on : sully

the scandal has tarnish ed his reputation

intransitive verb

: to become tarnished

• tar·nish·able -ni-shə-bəl adjective

II. noun

Date: 1684

: something that tarnishes ; especially : a film of chemically altered material on the surface of a metal (as silver)

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.