The spelling of the word "sully" is quite straightforward, as it follows the typical English spelling rules. The word is spelled with a single "l" and a double "s" in the middle. The IPA phonetic transcription of "sully" is /ˈsʌli/, with the emphasis on the first syllable. The "s" sounds are pronounced with a hissing sound, while the "u" sound is a short vowel pronounced with the lips slightly rounded. This word means to tarnish or besmirch something's reputation or character.
Sully is a verb that refers to the act of tarnishing or staining something, usually by making it dirty, impure, or morally questionable. This term typically implies that the pristine or previous state of the object or reputation has been compromised or harmed in some way.
When used in a physical sense, sully denotes the act of rendering something unclean, besmirched, or soiled. For example, if a person spills a beverage on a white carpet, they would sully it by making it dirty and leaving a stain. Similarly, if a painting is smudged or marked, it can be said to be sullied, as its original state of cleanliness or flawlessness has been marred.
However, sully is also commonly employed to describe the tarnishing or damaging of a person's reputation or character. If someone engages in dishonest or scandalous behavior, they may be accused of sullying their good name or reputation. Similarly, a public figure or organization can be said to have sullied their public image if they are involved in a scandal or controversial event.
In summary, sully refers to the act of staining, contaminating, or tainting something, whether it be physical objects, reputation, or character. It conveys the idea of tarnishing or compromising the previous state or perception of purity, cleanliness, or integrity.
To soil; to tarnish; to stain or darken; to dirty.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "sully" originated from Middle English "sullen" or "sullien", which comes from Old French "souillier". The Old French term means "to soil" or "to dirty". It is derived from the Latin word "solutus", which means "loose" or "free". Over time, the meaning of "sully" evolved to refer to actions that tarnish or stain someone's reputation or character.