Blemished

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Marked by visible imperfections or flaws that diminish value or appeal
2. Showing signs of defects or spots that reduce its quality or attractiveness
3. Exhibiting noticeable flaws or marks that lower its overall standard

Etymology: The adjective "blemished" is simply the past participle of the verb "blemish," so its story is really the verb's. The verb's core idea is paleness: it grew from an Old Frankish verb meaning "to make pale," built on an Old Frankish adjective for "pale," which traces back to a Proto-Germanic word for "white." Its ancestors appear in modern German "blass" ("pale") and Dutch "bles" ("white spot"), so a blemish was once a matter of colour before it became a matter of character or appearance. The verb reached English in Middle English through Old French "blemir" and "blesmir," which meant to make pale, but also to injure, wound, or bruise. That broader sense of harm is what carried into English, so a blemish came to mean a defect that spoils something, rather than a mere loss of colour.

Synonyms: damaged, defaced, marred, tainted, spoiled

Antonyms: unblemished, flawless, perfect, immaculate, pure