| 释义 |
besmirch, v.|bɪˈsmɜːtʃ|
Also 7 besmerch, -smyrch.
[f. be- 1 + smirch v.]
To soil, discolour, as with smoke, soot, or mud; also fig. to sully, dim the lustre of.
1602Shakes. Ham. i. iii. 15 And now no soyle nor cautell doth besmerch The vertue of his feare. a1700Bride's Bur. in Percy Reliques III. (R.) Fair Helen's face Did Grecian dames besmirche. 1881Daily Tel. 14 Nov., You cannot permanently besmirch a work of art. Time is sure to rub off the stain. 1882Garden 21 Jan. 33/3 The first shower of rain would..besmirch the velvet of their petals.
Hence beˈsmirched ppl. a.
1599Shakes. Hen. V, iv. iii. 110 Our Gaynesse and our Gilt are all besmyrcht. 1864Spectator 618 The toiling, and besmirched priesthood of the world. 1868Morris Earthly Par. i. (1870) 94 In besmirched array Some met us. |