blemish

blemish
{{11}}blemish (n.) 1520s, from BLEMISH (Cf. blemish) (v.).
{{12}}blemish (v.) early 14c., "to hurt, damage," from O.Fr. blemiss- "to turn pale," extended stem of blemir, blesmir "to make pale; stain, discolor," also "to injure" (13c., Mod.Fr. blêmir), probably from Frankish *blesmjan "to cause to turn pale," or some other Germanic source, from P.Gmc. *blas "shining, white," from PIE root *bhel- (1) "to shine, flash, burn" (see BLEACH (Cf. bleach)). The order of appearance of senses in Middle English is "hurt, damage;" "impair morally, sully" (late 14c.); "mar, spoil, injure" (early 15c.); "to mar the beauty or soundness of" (mid-15c.). Related: Blemished; blemishing.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • BLEMISH — (Heb. מוּם), a defect in the body of a man or an animal. Defects of conduct are also metaphorically called blemishes (Deut. 32:5; Prov. 9:7; Job. 11:15). A blemished priest was unfit to serve in the priesthood (Lev. 21:16–23) and was precluded… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • blemish — n Blemish, defect, flaw all denote an imperfection. Blemish applies to something (as a spot or stain) that is external or superficial and mars or disfigures the appearance of an object {on their sustaining garments not a blemish Shak.} {he… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Blemish — Blem ish, n.; 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. [1913 Webster] He shall take two… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Blemish — Blem ish, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blemished}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Blemishing}.] [OE. blemissen, blemishen, OF. blemir, blesmir, to strike, injure, soil, F. bl[^e]mir to grow pale, fr. OF. bleme, blesme, pale, wan, F. bl[^e]me, prob. fr. Icel bl[=a]man… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Blemish — may refer to: * A minor imperfection. For skin imperfection, see Acne vulgaris * Blemish (album) a music album from David Sylvian released in 2003 …   Wikipedia

  • blemish — [n] flaw beauty spot, birthmark, blackhead, blister, bloom*, blot, blotch, blot on the landscape*, blur, brand, bruise, bug*, catch, chip, cicatrix, defacement, defect, deformity, dent, discoloration, disfigurement, disgrace, dishonor, eyesore,… …   New thesaurus

  • blemish — index damage, deface, defacement, defame, defect, denigrate, detriment, disgrace, dishonor ( …   Law dictionary

  • blemish — ► NOUN 1) a small flaw which spoils the appearance of something. 2) a moral defect. ► VERB ▪ spoil the appearance of. ORIGIN from Old French blesmir make pale, injure …   English terms dictionary

  • blemish — [blem′ish] vt. [ME blemishen < OFr blemiss , extended stem of blesmir, to injure, prob. via Frank * blesmjan, to cause to turn pale < * blesmi, akin to BLAZE2] to mar, as by some flaw or fault; spoil the perfection of n. 1. a mark that mars …   English World dictionary

  • blemish — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ minor, slight ▪ ugly, unsightly ▪ skin VERB + BLEMISH ▪ have …   Collocations dictionary

  • blemish — I UK [ˈblemɪʃ] / US noun [countable] Word forms blemish : singular blemish plural blemishes 1) a) a mark or spot that spoils the appearance of something b) a mark on someone s skin, such as a spot or a scar 2) a mistake or dishonest action that… …   English dictionary

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