Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Blemish
Blem′ish
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Blemished
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Blemishing
.] [OE.
blemissen
, blemishen
, OF. blemir
, blesmir
, to strike, injure, soil, F. blêmir
to grow pale, fr. OF. bleme
, blesme
, pale, wan, F. blême
, prob. fr. Icel blāman
the livid color of a wound, fr. blār
blue; akin to E. blue
. OF. blemir
properly signifies to beat one (black and) blue, and to render blue or dirty. See Blue
.] 1.
To mark with deformity; to injure or impair, as anything which is well formed, or excellent; to mar, or make defective, either the body or mind.
Sin is a soil which
blemisheth
the beauty of thy soul. Brathwait.
2.
To tarnish, as reputation or character; to defame.
There had nothing passed between us that might
blemish
reputation. Oldys.
Blem′ish
,Noun.
pl.
Blemishes
. Any mark of deformity or injury, whether physical or moral; anything that diminishes beauty, or renders imperfect that which is otherwise well formed; that which impairs reputation.
He shall take two he lambs without
blemish
, and one ewe lamb of the first year without blemish. Lev. xiv. 10.
The reliefs of an envious man are those little
blemishes
and imperfections that discover themselves in an illustrious character. Spectator.
Syn. – Spot; speck; flaw; deformity; stain; defect; fault; taint; reproach; dishonor; imputation; disgrace.
Webster 1828 Edition
Blemish
BLEM'ISH
, v.t.1.
Too mark with any deformity; to injure or impair any thing which is well formed, or excellent; to mar,or make defective,either the body or mind.2.
To tarnish, as reputation or character; to defame.BLEM'ISH
,Noun.
1.
Reproach; disgrace; that which impairs reputation; taint; turpitude; deformity.