Tarnish

tarnish



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–verb (used with object) 

1. to dull the luster (光澤) of (a metallic surface), esp. by oxidation; discolor. 

2. to diminish or destroy the purity of; stain; sully (弄髒;玷污): 



The scandal tarnished his [reputation].  



–verb (used without object) 

3. to grow dull or discolored; lose luster. 

4. to become sullied.  



–noun 

5. a tarnished coating. 

6. tarnished condition; discoloration; alteration of the luster of a metal. 

7. a stain or blemish. 

—Synonyms 

2. taint, blemish, soil.

—Antonyms 

1. brighten.





　　

"Down these mean streets a man must go who is not himself mean, 



who is neither tarnish[ed] nor afraid," 



Raymond Chandler wrote in 1950's "The Simple Art of Murder," smacking the ascot  (領巾狀領帶) off the drawing-room mystery and all its crime-solving dilettante dandies. 





see mottle 



sully 

dilettante