Associations to the word «Tarnish»

Wiktionary

TARNISH, noun. Oxidation or discoloration, especially of a decorative metal exposed to air.
TARNISH, verb. (intransitive) To oxidize or discolor due to oxidation.
TARNISH, verb. (transitive) To soil, sully, damage or compromise
TARNISH, verb. (intransitive) (figurative) To lose its lustre or attraction; to become dull.

Dictionary definition

TARNISH, noun. Discoloration of metal surface caused by oxidation.
TARNISH, verb. Make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically; "The silver was tarnished by the long exposure to the air"; "Her reputation was sullied after the affair with a married man".

Wise words

A word is not a crystal, transparent and unchanged; it is the skin of a living thought and may vary greatly in color and content according to the circumstances and time in which it is used.
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.