ternir

to tarnish

verb tehr-NEER Rare

Origin: Germanic *tarnjan, to conceal

Also means

to dull

Usage Note

Ternir means to dim the shine of a metal or surface, and figuratively to damage a reputation or memory (ternir l'image de quelqu'un). The adjective terne (dull, lacklustre) is its close relative. Unlike tacher (to stain), ternir implies a loss of brilliance rather than a mark.

Examples

"L'humidité a terni l'argenterie."

Natural Translation

The humidity tarnished the silverware.

Literal Translation

The humidity tarnished the silverware.

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