Main Entry:

¹tar·nish

Pronunciation:

\ˈtär-nish\

Function:

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 verb1: to dull or destroy the luster of by or as if by air, dust, or dirt : soil, stain2 a: to detract from the good quality of : vitiate <his fine dreams now slightly tarnished> b: to bring disgrace on : sully <the scandal has tarnished his reputation>intransitive verb: to become tarnished

— tar·nish·able \-ni-shə-bəl\ adjective