tar·nish /ˈtɑrnɪʃ/
晦暗,玷汙,汙點(vt.)使失去光澤,玷汙(vi.)失去光澤,被玷汙
Tar·nish v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tarnished p. pr. & vb. n. Tarnishing.] 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.
Syn: -- To sully; stain; dim.
Tar·nish, v. i. To lose luster; to become dull; as, gilding will tarnish in a foul air.
Till thy fresh glories, which now shine so bright,
Grow stale and tarnish with our daily sight. --Dryden.
Tar·nish, n.
1. The quality or state of being tarnished; stain; soil; blemish.
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.
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tarnish
n : discoloration of metal surface caused by oxidation
v : 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: stain, maculate,
sully, defile]