blemish

blemish n Blemish, defect, flaw all denote an imperfection.

Blemish applies to something (as a spot or stain) that is external or superficial and mars or disfigures the appearance of an object

{

on their sustaining garments not a blemish— Shak.

}

{

he studiously perfected nature by correcting all the little blemishes of manner and little weaknesses of character in order to produce an immaculate effect— Parrington

}

{

a reputation without a blemish

}

Defect implies the lack or want of something which is essential to completeness or perfection but which is not necessarily superficially apparent

{

a defect in a mechanism

}

{

a defect in the organs of vision

}

{

the defects of this poem are not obvious

}

{

defects of understanding based on ignorance and unfamiliarity— Oppenheimer

}

A flaw is a defect in continuity or cohesion (as a break, a crack, or a fissure), that may either mar a perfect surface or cause a weakness in structure

{

a flaw in a crystal

}

{

or some frail China jar receive a flaw— Pope

}

{

my love to thee is sound, sans crack or flaw— Shak.

}

{

style is not a sheet of glass in which the only thing that matters is the absence of flaws— Ellis

}

{

we most enjoy, as a spectacle, the downfall of a good man, when the fall is justified by some flaw in his being—G uérard

}

Analogous words: blot, stain, *stigma: tainting or taint, pollution, defilement (see corresponding verbs at CONTAMINATE): *fault, failing, frailty: *lack, want, privation

Antonyms: immaculateness

Contrasted words: purity, simplicity (see corresponding adjectives at PURE): cleanness, cleanliness (see corresponding adjectives at CLEAN): clearness, transparency, pellucidness (see corresponding adjectives at CLEAR)