tarnish
noun
- thin layer of corrosion that forms over copper, brass, aluminum, magnesium, neodymium and other similar metals as their outermost layer undergoes a chemical reaction shush
verb
- to dull or destroy the luster of by or as if by air, dust, or dirt literally or figuratively.
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈtɑːnɪʃ/ / /ˈtɑɹnɪʃ/
noun
Etymology: From Middle English ternysshen, from Old French terniss-, stem of ternir (“to make dim, make wan”), borrowed from Old High German *ternen, tarnen, from Proto-West Germanic *darnijan (“to conceal”). Doublet of dern and darn.
- Oxidation or discoloration, especially of a decorative metal exposed to air.
“1918, Hannah Teresa Rowley, Mrs. Helen Louise (Wales) Farrell, Principles of Chemistry Applied to the Household Precipitated calcium carbonate, a very fine powdery form, is used as a basis for many tooth powders and pastes. As whiting it finds a wide use in cleaning metals of their tarnishes.”
“Limiting the use of silver to special occasions might invite tarnish unless the pieces are carefully protected.”
verb
Etymology: From Middle English ternysshen, from Old French terniss-, stem of ternir (“to make dim, make wan”), borrowed from Old High German *ternen, tarnen, from Proto-West Germanic *darnijan (“to conceal”). Doublet of dern and darn.
- To oxidize or discolor due to oxidation.
“Careful storage of silver will prevent it from tarnishing.”
- To compromise, damage, soil, or sully.
“He is afraid that she will tarnish his reputation if he disagrees with her.”
“I have next shown you the Greeks, and " the wisdom" of their philosophy, often travesting, sometimes tarnishing the Christian religion : […]”
- To lose its lustre or attraction; to become dull.
“Till thy freſh Glories, vvhich novv ſhine ſo bright, / Grovv Stale and Tarniſh vvith our daily ſight.”
- To use a sign, image, expression, etc. sufficiently close to a trademarked one that it brings disrepute to it.