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Webster 1913 Edition

Tarnish

Tar′nish

,
Verb.
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
,
Adj.
, 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
.
Syn. – To sully; stain; dim.

Tar′nish

,
Verb.
I.
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.

Tar′nish

,
Noun.
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
.

Webster 1828 Edition

Tarnish

T`ARNISH

, v.t.
1.
To sully; to soil by an alteration induced by the air, or by dust and the like; to diminish or destroy luster; as, to tarnish a metal; to tarnish gilding; to tarnish the brightness or beauty of color.
2.
To diminish or destroy the purity of; as to tarnish reputation or honor.

T`ARNISH

,
Verb.
I.
To lose luster; to become dull; as, polished substances of gilding will tarnish in the course of time. Metals tarnish by oxydation.

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