tarnishing
Use Tarnishing in a sentence
nɪʃ verb (used with object)
1.
to dull the luster of (a metallic surface), especially by oxidation; discolor.
2.
to diminish or destroy the purity of; stain; sully: The scandal tarnished his reputation.
verb (used without object)
3.
to grow dull or discolored; lose luster.
4.
to become sullied.
noun
5.
a tarnished coating.
6.
tarnished condition; discoloration; alteration of the luster of a metal.
7.
a stain or blemish.
Origin:
1590–1600; < Middle French terniss-, long stem of ternir to dull, deaden, derivative of terne dull, wan < Germanic; compare Old High German tarni, cognate with Old Saxon derni, Old English dierne hidden, obscure; see -ish2
1590–1600; < Middle French terniss-, long stem of ternir to dull, deaden, derivative of terne dull, wan < Germanic; compare Old High German tarni, cognate with Old Saxon derni, Old English dierne hidden, obscure; see -ish2
Related forms
tar·nish·a·ble, adjective
an·ti·tar·nish, adjective
an·ti·tar·nish·ing, adjective
non·tar·nish·a·ble, adjective
non·tar·nished, adjective
non·tar·nish·ing, adjective
un·tar·nish·a·ble, adjective
un·tar·nished, adjective
un·tar·nish·ing, adjective
Synonyms
2. taint, blemish, soil.
2. taint, blemish, soil.
Antonyms
1. brighten.
1. brighten.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To Tarnishing
00:10
Tarnishing
is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
tarnish (ˈtɑːnɪʃ) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | to lose or cause to lose the shine, esp by exposure to air or moisture resulting in surface oxidation; discolour: silver tarnishes quickly |
| 2. | to stain or become stained; taint or spoil: a fraud that tarnished his reputation |
| —n | |
| 3. | a tarnished condition, surface, or film |
| [C16: from Old French ternir to make dull, from terne lustreless, of Germanic origin; related to Old High German tarnen to conceal, Old English dierne hidden] | |
| 'tarnishable | |
| —adj | |
| 'tarnisher | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
tarnish
1598, from prp. stem of M.Fr. ternir "dull the luster or brightness of, make dim" (15c.), probably from O.Fr. adj. terne "dull, dark," from a Frank. source cognate with O.H.G. tarnjan "to conceal, hide," O.E. dyrnan "to hide, darken," from P.Gmc. *darnijaz, related to dark.
Figurative sense is from 1697. The noun is recorded from 1713.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
Example sentences
People rarely approach the subject in fear of tarnishing a reputation.
But with that staggering increase in demand for services come myths that are tarnishing the purpose of the welfare system.
Again, they mention the potential for tarnishing if there is no solder on the pads.
In another controlled chamber, the team heats a coated wafer to speed up the tarnishing.
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