| noun | a narrow pass (especially one between mountains) |
| verb | place under suspicion or cast doubt upon “sully someone's reputation” |
| verb | make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically “The silver was tarnished by the long exposure to the air” |
| verb | spot, stain, or pollute “The townspeople defiled the river by emptying raw sewage into it” |
| cloud | noun | suspicion affecting your reputation |
| tarnish | noun | discoloration of metal surface caused by oxidation |
| stain | noun | a symbol of disgrace or infamy; --Genesis |
| macula | noun | a patch of skin that is discolored but not usually elevated; caused by various diseases |
| maculation | noun | the act of spotting or staining something |
| befoulment | noun | the state of being polluted |
| defilement | noun | the state of being polluted |
| defiler | noun | a person or organization that causes pollution of the environment |