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tarnish

9 senses · Free VividLex dictionary · Thesaurus

  1. 1. a. 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. Source: opted
  2. 2. v. i. To lose luster; to become dull; as, gilding will tarnish in a foul air. Source: opted
  3. 3. n. The quality or state of being tarnished; stain; soil; blemish. Source: opted
  4. 4. n. 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. Source: opted
  5. 5. n. discoloration of metal surface caused by oxidation Source: wordnet
  6. 6. v. make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically Source: wordnet
  7. 7. 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. 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. 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. Source: webster
  8. 8. To soil, or change the appearance of, especially by analternation 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; totarnish gilding; to tarnish the purity of color. "Tarnished lace."Fuller. Used also figuratively; as, to tarnish one's honor. Source: adambom
  9. 9. v:100 n. discoloration of metal surface caused by oxidation v. make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically Source: ecdict

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