besmirched(动词 besmirch 的过去式/过去分词,也常作形容词)
/bɪˈsmɜːtʃt/ (BrE), /bɪˈsmɝːtʃt/ (AmE)
His reputation was besmirched by a false rumor. 他的名誉被一则谣言抹黑了。
Though the evidence later cleared her name, the scandal had already besmirched the family’s standing in the community. 尽管后来证据还了她清白,但丑闻早已玷污了这个家族在社区中的地位。
besmirch 由前缀 **be-**(表示“使……处于某种状态”)+ smirch(“弄脏、污渍”)构成;smirch 与“涂抹、污迹”的古英语/中古英语词源有关。整体含义从“把东西抹脏”很自然地引申为“把名声抹黑”。