tarnish
Pronunciation
  • IPA: /ˈtɑɹnɪʃ/
Noun

tarnish (uncountable)

  1. 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.
Translations Verb

tarnish (tarnishes, present participle tarnishing; past and past participle tarnished)

  1. (intransitive) To oxidize or discolor due to oxidation.
    Careful storage of silver will prevent it from tarnishing.
  2. (transitive) To soil, sully, damage or compromise
    He is afraid that he will tarnish his reputation if he disagrees.
  3. (intransitive, figurative) To lose its lustre or attraction; to become dull.
    • Till thy fresh glories, which now shine so bright, / Grow stale and tarnish with our daily sight.
Translations Translations


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