Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SUL'LY, v.t. [Fr. souiller; from the root of soil, G. süle.]

1. To soil; to dirt; to spot; to tarnish. And statues sullied yet with sacrilegious smoke. – Roscommon.
2. To tarnish; to darken. Let there be no spots to sully the brightens of this solemnity. – Atterbury.
3. To stain; to tarnish; as, the purity of reputation; as, virtues sullied by slanders; character sullied by infamous vices.