English Explanatory Dictionary

blemish

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A small flaw which spoils the appearance of something, a stain, a spot.
  2. A moral defect; a character flaw.
verb
  1. To spoil the appearance of.
  2. To tarnish (reputation, character, etc.); to defame.

Pronunciation

/ˈblɛmɪʃ/ en-au-blemish.ogg

Word forms

blemish blemishes blemishing blemished

Etymology

From Middle English blemisshen, blemissen, from Old French blemiss-, stem of Old French blemir, blesmir (“make pale, injure, wound, bruise”) (French blêmir), from Old Frankish *blesmijan, *blasmijan (“to make pale”), from Old Frankish *blasmī (“pale”), from Proto-Germanic *blasaz (“white, pale”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰel- (“to shine”). Cognate with Dutch bles (“white spot”), German blass (“pale”), Old English āblered (“bare, uncovered, bald, shaven”).

Synonyms

besmirch denigrate stain assassinate asperse backbite badmouth befoul belibel besmear bewray blacken blame blaze blemish blot blur calumniate calumny chat shit chat shite cloud defame demonize deprave depreciate detract dirty discredit disgrace disparage disrepute diss drag through the mud forgab forspeak foul infamize lampoon libel malign monsterize muddy reproach revile scandal shit-talk slag slander smear smirch spatter spot speak ill of stab sully talk shit talk shite talk trash tarnish

Related words

blemished blemishless blemishment emblemishment

Derived words

blemishable blemisher unblemishing
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