discolorings
Patches losing hue
Discolorings are stains, marks, or patches where something has lost or changed its original color.
The word refers to multiple instances of discoloration—spots on fruit, water stains on ceiling tiles, age marks on old photographs: The discolorings on the wallpaper showed where pictures had once hung.
Surface film from aging
- yellowingBecoming pale gold-brown
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
- tarnishingOxidizing and losing shine
- weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
graying · browning · foxing · silvering · antiquing · time-worn · vintage · degradation
Chemical color removal
- lighteningMaking lighter in weight/shade
- palingStakes forming a boundary
- dimmingDecreasing in brightness
- dullingRemoving keenness or luster
blanching · whitening · desaturating · sun-bleached · photodegradation · decolorizing · muting · waning
Irregular colored patches
- marblingStreaky fat distribution
- specklingScattering small marks
- blotchingForming irregular marks
- streakingRunning naked publicly
patchiness · spotting · freckling · iridescence · pigmentation · vitiligo · chlorosis · albinism
Chemical wearing away
scarring · charring · singeing · blistering · peeling · flaking · etching · pitting
Tissue damage beneath skin
- blackeningMaking or becoming dark
- purplingBecoming darker, more violet
- hematomaBlood collected outside vessels
- traumaLasting psychological wound
impact · lividity · fingermarks · wilting · tenderness
patina
Surface film from aging
- yellowingBecoming pale gold-brown
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
- tarnishingOxidizing and losing shine
weathering · graying · browning · foxing · silvering · antiquing · time-worn · vintage · degradation · senescence
bleaching
Chemical color removal
- lighteningMaking lighter in weight/shade
- palingStakes forming a boundary
- dimmingDecreasing in brightness
dulling · blanching · whitening · desaturating · sun-bleached · photodegradation · decolorizing · muting · waning · leaching
mottling
Irregular colored patches
streaking · patchiness · spotting · freckling · iridescence · pigmentation · vitiligo · chlorosis · albinism
corrosion
Chemical wearing away
wear · scarring · charring · singeing · blistering · peeling · flaking · etching · pitting · erosion
soiling
Making something unclean
ink · tannin · coffee · tea · wine · rust · grape · beetroot · turmeric · berry
contusion
Tissue damage beneath skin
- blackeningMaking or becoming dark
- purplingBecoming darker, more violet
- hematomaBlood collected outside vessels
trauma · impact · lividity · fingermarks · wilting · tenderness
discoloringsrestorations
Acts of renewing condition
colorings · true colors · pigmentations · bleachings · brightening
discoloringsenhancements
Additions that improve something
beautifications · improvements · embellishments · restorations · cleanings