Besmorchid

Part of speech: verb, adjective

Definitions

1. Having been stained, dirtied or damaged in reputation, as if smeared with dirt or shame
2. Marked with a smudge or stain, or having a character unfairly tarnished by blame or scandal
3. Soiled in appearance or sullied in standing, the result of being smeared or disgraced

Etymology: Besmorchid is a Scots dialect word, and its roots are only partly settled. The prefix "be-" comes from Old English and intensifies or thoroughly applies the action of the verb it attaches to. The stem appears to be "smorch," a Scots verb probably related to "smoor" and "smother," which suggests a sense of choking or covering over, such as with smoke, soot or ash. The word's sense of smearing or dirtying something seems to sit close to that idea. Its exact origin and the precise relationship to English "besmirch" are uncertain, so the connection should be treated as a likely one rather than a proven one.