sully /ˈsʌlɪ/ TEM8 ( sullying, sullied, sullies )

• 1. 

  V-T If something is sullied by something else, it is damaged so that it is no longer pure or of such high value. 玷污; 败坏 [正式]

  例：

  Its image has been sullied by $9 billion in improper accounting.

  其形象被90亿的假账所毁。

  例：

  She claimed they were sullying her good name.

  她宣称他们败坏了她的名誉。

• 2. 

  V-T If someone sullies something, they make it dirty. 弄脏 [正式]

  例：

  I felt loath to sully the gleaming brass knocker by handling it.

  我不愿意用手去抓那个闪亮的黄铜门环以免把它弄脏。