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Dirt vs Tarnish - What's the difference?

dirt | tarnish | Related terms |

Dirt is a related term of tarnish.


As nouns the difference between dirt and tarnish

is that dirt is animal while tarnish is oxidation or discoloration, especially of a decorative metal exposed to air.

As a verb tarnish is

to oxidize or discolor due to oxidation.

dirt

English

Alternative forms

* (obsolete)

Noun

(en-noun)
  • soil or earth
  • A stain or spot (on clothes etc); any foreign substance that worsens appearance
  • Previously unknown facts, or the invented "facts", about a person; gossip
    • The reporter uncovered the dirt on the businessman by going undercover.
  • Meanness; sordidness.
  • * Melmoth
    • honours thrown away upon dirt and infamy
  • In placer mining, earth, gravel, etc., before washing.

    • Derived terms

    * dirt bike * dirt nap * dirty * do someone dirt

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (rare) To make foul or filthy; soil; befoul; dirty

    • tarnish

    English

    Noun

    (-)
  • Oxidation or discoloration, especially of a decorative metal exposed to air.

    • Verb

    (es)
  • To oxidize or discolor due to oxidation.
    • Careful storage of silver will prevent it from tarnishing .
  • To soil, sully, damage or compromise
    • He is afraid that he will tarnish his reputation if he disagrees.
  • (figurative) To lose its lustre or attraction; to become dull.
  • * Dryden
    • Till thy fresh glories, which now shine so bright, / Grow stale and tarnish with our daily sight.