tarnish

/ˈtɑːnɪʃ/

Etymology

From Middle English ternysshen, from Old French terniss-, stem of ternir (“to make dim, make wan”), borrowed from Old High German *ternen, tarnen, from Proto-West Germanic *darnijan (“to conceal”). Doublet of dern and darn.

tarnish means oxidation or discoloration, especially of a decorative metal exposed to air. Lexicurio rates it Rare gem — a strength score of 78 out of 100.

Why this word is great

TARNISH — [Noun, Verb] A surface film of corrosion or discoloration on a metal, or the act of dulling luster through oxidation or sullying a reputation. From Middle English *ternysshen*, from Old French *terniss-* (stem of *ternir*, "to make dim, make wan"), borrowed from a Germanic source, likely Old High German *ternen*, *tarnen*, from Proto-West Germanic *darnijan* ("to conceal"). Unlike "corrode," which implies a deep, structural decay, or "sully," which is reserved almost entirely for abstract stains on character, *tarnish* occupies a middle ground of superficial shadow—a veil that obscures but does not yet consume. It is the slow bloom of midnight on a silver spoon, the greying fog that settles on a forgotten brass doorknob, and the first, unanswerable rumor that dims a once-bright name: a subtle process by which the world gently takes things back into the keeping of time and obscurity.

noun

Oxidation or discoloration, especially of a decorative metal exposed to air.“1918, Hannah Teresa Rowley, Mrs. Helen Louise (Wales) Farrell, Principles of Chemistry Applied to the Household Precipitated calcium carbonate, a very fine powdery form, is used as a basis for many tooth powders and pastes. As whiting it finds a wide use in cleaning metals of their tarnishes.”

verb

To oxidize or discolor due to oxidation.“Careful storage of silver will prevent it from tarnishing.”
To compromise, damage, soil, or sully.“He is afraid that she will tarnish his reputation if he disagrees with her.”
To lose its lustre or attraction; to become dull.“Till thy freſh Glories, vvhich novv ſhine ſo bright, / Grovv Stale and Tarniſh vvith our daily ſight.”
To use a sign, image, expression, etc. sufficiently close to a trademarked one that it brings disrepute to it.