I. ˈtärnish, ˈtȧn-, -nēsh, esp in pres part ˈ-nəsh verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle French terniss-, stem of ternir to tarnish, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German ternen, tarnen to hide — more at dern
transitive verb
1. : to diminish, dull, or destroy the luster of especially by or as if by air, dust, or dirt : soil , stain
polishing the tarnished spoons
the mist settling down and tarnishing the great plaque of silver — William Beebe
a tarnished tidewater creek — Berton Roueché
tarnished marigold stalks — J.C.Powys
2.
a. : to detract from the good or desirable quality of : vitiate , spoil
the brightest of its ideas grow tarnished — H.V.Gregory
reciting some plain facts … which somewhat tarnished the latter's eulogies — V.L.Parrington
had tarnished himself, filled his mind with corruption — Oscar Wilde
b. : to bring disgrace or cast doubt upon (one's name or reputation) : taint , sully
am not worried that the … name will be tarnished by my association with the governor — F.D.Roosevelt
the belief that some uranium stocks … could tarnish the reputation of American business — Wall Street Journal
intransitive verb
1. : to become dull, discolored, or stained in appearance
silver tarnishes quickly if left uncared-for
2.
a. : to undergo a lowering in quality : dissipate , deteriorate
the bright hopes of the Liberation have tarnished rapidly — Stanley Karnow
in contact with the seamy realities … the dream soon tarnishes — L.C.Stevens
b. : to grow less in prestige or esteem : diminish
his reputation may have tarnished somewhat among … the population — J.H.Huizinga
have allowed his justly bright fame … to tarnish — C.R.Anderson
II. noun
( -es )
1.
a. : the condition of being tarnished : stain , soil , blemish
tarnish on silver
b. : the altered luster or surface color of a mineral or metal caused either by slight alteration or a thin film of deposition
2. : the condition of being lowered in quality, worth, or esteem : debasement , deterioration
time and circumstance brought a tarnish to the glory — R.T.La Piere
bright as that reputation long was, it is beginning to show tarnish — V.L.Parrington