Marked or damaged by small spots, marks, or imperfections that make something less perfect or attractive.
From Middle English 'blemischen,' possibly from Old French 'blesmir' meaning 'to make pale.' The word evolved to describe any visible flaw or mark on a surface, whether physical or metaphorical.
Interestingly, 'blemish' is often used metaphorically in law and ethics—a criminal conviction is called a 'blemish on one's record,' showing how we use skin imperfection language to describe character flaws.
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