Associations to the word «Tarnished»

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

Words are always getting conventionalized to some secondary meaning. It is one of the works of poetry to take the truants in custody and bring them back to their right senses.
William Butler Yeats