tarnish
tarnish
Pronunciation
IPA Phonetic Spelling of "tarnish"
IPA: /ˈtɑːrnɪʃ/
Syllable Breakdown:
tɑːr
/t/ - Voiceless alveolar stop
/ɑː/ - Open front unrounded vowel
/r/ - Alveolar approximant
nɪʃ
/n/ - Alveolar nasal
/ɪ/ - Near-close front unrounded vowel
/ʃ/ - Voiceless post-alveolar fricative
Word Form Variations
The word "tarnish" doesn't have any plural or singular forms. It's a verb, meaning to discolor or damage a metal surface.
If you're looking for related words, here are a few:
Tarnished: The past participle form of the verb "tarnish," used as an adjective to describe something that is discolored or damaged.
Tarnishing: The present participle form of the verb "tarnish," used as an adjective to describe something that is in the process of discoloring or damaging.
FIND YOURSELF AT SEA.
Register Now.
FIND YOURSELF AT SEA. Register Now.
Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Verb
Definition: To discolor or damage a metal surface, often through exposure to the elements or chemicals.
Synonyms: rust, corrode, oxidize
Antonyms: polish, shine, brighten
Noun
Definition: A discoloration or damage on a metal surface.
Synonyms: rust, corrosion, oxidation
Antonyms: luster, shine, gleam
Adjective
Definition: Discolored or damaged, especially due to oxidation.
Synonyms: rusted, corroded, oxidized
Antonyms: polished, shiny, bright
Examples of Use
Books
"The tarnish on his reputation was difficult to remove after the scandal." (The New York Times)
"The silver tarnished over time, losing its luster." (The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald)
Newspapers
"The tarnished statue was a symbol of the city's troubled past." (The Guardian)
"The tarnished image of the company was hard to repair after the product recall." (The Wall Street Journal)
Online Publications
"How to remove tarnish from silver jewelry" (WikiHow)
"The tarnished reputation of the politician" (The Atlantic)
Entertainment
"The tarnished hero's journey" (A popular superhero movie)
"The tarnished love affair" (A romantic drama)
Public Discourse
"The tarnished legacy of colonialism" (A political debate)
"The tarnished reputation of the police department" (A social justice protest)
FIND YOURSELF AT SEA.
Register Now.
FIND YOURSELF AT SEA. Register Now.
10 Famous Quotes Using the term Tarnish
"Reputation is like fine china: once broken, it’s very hard to repair. Tarnish can never be fully polished away." — Anonymous
"Do not tarnish your spirit with bitterness; it only dulls the light within." — Anonymous
"Honor once lost is hard to regain; its tarnish can stain a lifetime." — Anonymous
"No amount of talent can redeem a tarnished character." — Anonymous
"The brightest gold can still be tarnished by the smallest of lies." — Anonymous
"Do not allow the actions of others to tarnish your soul." — Anonymous
"Even the most beautiful silver will tarnish if not cared for." — Anonymous
"A single harsh word can tarnish a friendship that took years to build." — Anonymous
"Public honor is easily tarnished by private vice." — Anonymous
"Tarnish comes from within when we lose sight of our principles." — Anonymous
Etymology
Tarnish comes from the Middle English word ternisshen, which meant "to become dull or discolored." This word, in turn, is believed to be derived from the Old French word ternir, meaning "to become dark or dull."
Ternir itself likely comes from the Latin word tenere, which means "to hold." This might suggest that the original idea behind "tarnish" was something holding back or preventing shine or brightness.
So, the word "tarnish" has a history that goes back through French and Latin, with its root meaning connected to holding or preventing something from being bright.
FIND YOURSELF AT SEA.
Register Now.
FIND YOURSELF AT SEA. Register Now.
Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Tarnish
Unfortunately, there aren't many common phrases or idioms that directly use the word "tarnish." This might be due to the specific nature of the word, which refers to a physical process of discoloration or damage.
However, we can explore some related phrases and idioms that convey similar meanings:
Related Phrases
To cast a shadow over: To spoil or ruin something
To cloud the issue: To make something unclear or confusing
To tarnish one's reputation: To damage someone's good name
Idioms with Synonyms
To be a stain on one's character: To have a negative impact on one's reputation
To be a blemish on one's record: To have a flaw or defect that damages one's reputation
To be a blot on the landscape: To be something unattractive or unpleasant
These phrases and idioms can be used to convey the idea of something being damaged, spoiled, or ruined, which is similar to the concept of "tarnishing."
Posts Related to Tarnish
Source Information
Definition of tarnish from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
