Blem″ish (�), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Blemished (�); p. pr. & vb. n.Blemishing.] [OE. blemissen, blemishen, OF. blemir, blesmir, to strike, injure, soil, F. blêmir to grow pale, fr. OF. bleme, blesme, pale, wan, F. blême, prob. fr. Icel blāman the livid color of a wound, fr. blār blue; akin to E. blue. OF. blemir properly signifies to beat one (black and) blue, and to render blue or dirty. See Blue.] 1. To mark with deformity; to injure or impair, as anything which is well formed, or excellent; to mar, or make defective, either the body or mind.
Sin is a soil which blemisheth the beauty of thy soul.
Brathwait.
2. To tarnish, as reputation or character; to defame.
There had nothing passed between us that might blemish reputation.
Oldys.