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sully (v.)
1590s, probably from French souiller "to soil," also figurative, from Old French soillier "make dirty" (see soil (v.)). Related: Sullied (1570s); sullying.
Entries linking to sully
soil (v.)early 13c., "to defile or pollute with sin," from Old French soillier "to splatter with mud, to foul or make dirty," originally "to wallow" (12c., Modern French souillier), from souil "tub, wild boar's wallow, pigsty," which is from either Latin solium "tub for bathing; seat" (from PIE *sodio- "seat," from root *sed- "to sit") or Latin suculus "little pig," from sus "pig." Literal meaning "to make dirty, begrime" is attested from c. 1300 in English. Related: Soiled; soiling.
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Definitions of sully
1
sully (v.)
place under suspicion or cast doubt upon;
sully someone's reputation
sully (v.)
make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically;
Her reputation was sullied after the affair with a married man
2
Sully (n.)
United States painter (born in England) of portraits and historical scenes (1783-1872);
Synonyms: Thomas Sully
Sully (n.)
French statesman (1560-1641);
Synonyms: Duc de Sully / Maxmilien de Bethune
Dictionary entries near sully
sulfuric
sulfurous
sulk
sulky
sullen
sully
sulphur
sulphureous
sulphuric
sulphurous
sultan