First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1sully
transitive verb sul·ly \ˈsə-lē\
: to damage or ruin the good quality of (something)
sul·liedsul·ly·ing
Full Definition of SULLY
: to make soiled or tarnished : defile
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Origin of SULLY
Middle English *sullien, probably alteration (influenced by Anglo-French suillier, soiller to soil) of sulen to soil, from Old English sylian
Related to SULLY
2sully
noun
plural sullies
Sully
biographical name Sul·ly \ˈsə-lē, (ˌ)sə-ˈlē, sue-ˈlē\
Definition of SULLY
Duc de 1560–1641 Maximilien de Béthune Baron de Ros*ny \də-rō-ˈnē\ Fr. statesman
Sully
biographical name Sul·ly \ˈsə-lē\
Definition of SULLY
Thomas 1783–1872 Am. (Eng.-born) painter
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