untarnished
Meaning: Not dulled, stained, or diminished in lustre or reputation; remaining bright and unspoiled.
Untarnished draws on the metallurgical image of tarnish — the dull film that forms on silver or copper when exposed to air and moisture. Figuratively, an untarnished reputation is one that retains its original shine despite exposure to the corroding influences of public life. The word is particularly common in obituaries and profiles, where it describes careers, legacies, or reputations that have survived scrutiny. It implies both duration and resilience — what is untarnished has withstood the passage of time.
Examples
- His reputation as a man of absolute integrity remains untarnished after four decades in public life. 他作为一个绝对正直之人的声誉在四十年的公共生活中始终光亮如初。Su reputación como hombre de absoluta integridad permanece sin empañar tras cuatro décadas de vida pública.絶対的な誠実さを持つ人物としての彼の評判は、40年の公的生活を経ても色褪せていない。절대적 성실함을 가진 인물로서의 그의 평판은 40년간의 공직 생활을 거쳐도 빛이 바래지 않았다.
- The silverware, stored carefully in baize-lined drawers, was still untarnished after years of disuse. 那些银器被仔细地存放在绿绒衬里的抽屉中,多年未用仍然没有变色。La platería, guardada con esmero en cajones forrados de bayeta, seguía sin deslustrar tras años en desuso.銀器類はベーズ張りの引き出しに丁寧に保管されており、何年も使われていなかったにもかかわらず変色していなかった。은제품은 바이즈 안감이 깔린 서랍에 세심하게 보관되어 있었으며, 수년간 사용되지 않았음에도 변색되지 않았다.
- She left office with her professional standing largely untarnished, despite the turmoil of the preceding months. 尽管前几个月动荡不安,她离职时的职业声望基本上完好无损。Dejó el cargo con su prestigio profesional prácticamente intacto, pese a la agitación de los meses anteriores.前月の混乱にもかかわらず、彼女は専門家としての評価をほぼ傷つけることなく退任した。전월의 혼란에도 불구하고, 그녀는 전문가로서의 평가를 대체로 훼손시키지 않고 퇴임했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: journalism, literary, general
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From 'un-' (not) + 'tarnished,' from French ternir (to make dull, tarnish), of Germanic origin. The figurative use applied to reputations emerged in the 17th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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