Nearby Words
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.
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Tarnished
is always a great word to know.
So is zedonk. Does it mean:
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
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
EXPANDnon·tar·nish·ing, adjective
un·tar·nish·a·ble, adjective
un·tar·nished, adjective
un·tar·nish·ing, adjective
COLLAPSESynonyms
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. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To tarnished
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.
EXPANDFigurative sense is from 1697. The noun is recorded from 1713.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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