v. Also 7 besmerch, -smyrch. [f. BE- 1 + SMIRCH v.] To soil, discolor, as with smoke, soot or mud; also fig. to sully, dim the luster of.
1602. Shaks., Ham., I. iii. 15. And now no soyle nor cautell doth besmerch The vertue of his feare.
a. 1700. Bride’s Bur., in Percy, Reliques, III. (R.). Fair Helen’s face Did Grecian dames besmirche.
1881. Daily Tel., 14 Nov., 3/6. You cannot permanently besmirch a work of art. Time is sure to rub off the stain.
1882. Garden, 21 Jan., 33/3. The first shower of rain would … besmirch the velvet of their petals.
Hence Besmirched ppl. a.
1599. Shaks., Hen. V., IV. iii. 110. Our Gaynesse and our Gilt are all besmyrcht.
1864. Spectator, 618. The toiling, and besmirched priesthood of the world.
1868. Morris, Earthly Par., I. (1870), 94. In besmirched array Some met us.
