Tarnish

[imp. & p. p. TARNISHED (-nisht); p. pr. & vb. n. TARNISHING.] [Fr. ternir, p. pr. ternissant, to tarnish, terne, dull, wan, from O. H. Ger. tarnjan, O. Sax. dernian, A-S. dernan, dyrnan, to hide, O. H. Ger. tarni, hidden, O. Sax. derni, A-S. derne, dyrne, privately.]

1Sense 1. To soil by an alteration induced by the air, or by dust, and the like; to diminish or destroy the luster of; to sully; as, to tarnish a metal; to tarnish gilding; to tarnish the brightness or beauty of color.

2Sense 2. To diminish or destroy the purity of; as, to tarnish reputation or honor.

Syn.—To sully; stain; dim.

v. i. To lose luster; to become dull; as, polished substances or gilding will tarnish in the course of time.