blackening

verb

1. (form-of, gerund, participle, present)present participle and gerund of blacken

noun

1. (uncountable)The act or process of turning (becoming) black in colour.
2. (countable)The result or an instance of such an act or process; a black stain or mark.
3. (countable, uncountable)Any of various (dark-colored) surface treatments for metal substrates, to inhibit corrosion.
4. (countable, uncountable)The act of defaming or sullying.

   “blackenings of my reputation”