Tarnished, pronounced /ˈtɑːnɪʃt/, is spelled with two "n"s and one "s". The word means something that has lost its shine and luster, often due to age or neglect. The pronunciation of the "a" sound is a long "a", as in "car", while the "ish" sound is pronounced with a short "i", as in "bit". The word is commonly used to describe metal objects that have become discolored or rusty, but can also be used in a more metaphorical sense to describe a person's reputation or character.
Tarnished is an adjective that means something has lost or diminished its value, quality, or reputation as a result of damage, decay, or tainted perception. This term typically refers to something that was once shiny, pristine, or esteemed but has become flawed, stained, or discredited over time.
In a literal sense, tarnished often describes the darkening or discoloration of metals, especially silver, as a result of oxidation or exposure to air or moisture. This can lead to a dull or dirty appearance, taking away the luster or brightness of the object.
Metaphorically, tarnished is used to describe a person, reputation, or image that has been marred or sullied by negative actions, associations, or judgments. For example, a public figure's reputation may become tarnished if they are involved in scandalous activities or are found guilty of wrongdoing.
Furthermore, tarnished can also be applied to describe the deterioration or weakening of relationships, friendships, or trust between individuals due to betrayal or deceit.
Overall, the term tarnished implies a tarnishing, deterioration, or loss of something valuable or of good standing, whether it be a physical object, reputation, or relationship.
• Having lost its brightness by exposure to the air; sullied; stained.
• A process of giving to gold or silver a pale or dim cast.
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 "tarnished" comes from the Middle English term "tarnisen", which was derived from the Old French word "tornir" meaning "to turn" or "to polish". This Old French term was further derived from the Latin word "tornare", which also meant "to turn". Over time, the meaning of the word "tarnish" shifted to refer to the process of losing or dulling the brightness or luster of something, particularly of metal objects.