Category:Tarnish

Tar"nish, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tarnished; p. pr. & vb. n. Tarnishing.] Etym: [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.]

Defn: 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.

Tarnish Tar"nish, v. i.

Defn: 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.

Tarnish Tar"nish, n.

1. The quality or state of being tarnished; stain; soil; blemish.

2. (min.)

Defn: 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.