| Tarnish | v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Tarnished p. pr. & vb. n. Tarnishing. ] [ F. ternir, fr. OHG. tarnen to darken, to conceal, hide; akin to OS. dernian to hide, AS. dernan, dyrnan, OHG. tarni hidden, OS. derni, AS. derne, dyrne. Cf. Dern, a., and see -ish. ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] Syn. -- To sully; stain; dim. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Tarnish | v. i. To lose luster; to become dull; as, gilding will tarnish in a foul air. [ 1913 Webster ] Till thy fresh glories, which now shine so bright,
Grow stale and tarnish with our daily sight. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Tarnish | n. 1. The quality or state of being tarnished; stain; soil; blemish. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] |
