Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BLEM'ISH, v.t. [In Fr. blemir, is to grow pale, and blême, from the ancient blesme, is pale, wan; Arm. blem; Norman, blasme, blamed; blemish, and blesmys, broken; blemishment, blemissment, infringement, prejudice; blesme, pale, wan; from blesser, to injure, or its root, from which was formed the noun blesme, pale, wan, or black and blue, as we should now say; and the s being dropped, blamer and blemir, were formed. See Blame.]

1. To mark with any deformity; to injure or impair any thing which is well formed, or excellent; to mar, or make defective, either the body or mind. – Sidney.
2. To tarnish, as reputation or character; to defame. – Dryden.