The term sully in literature predominantly conveys the idea of tarnishing or defilement. In some contexts it describes actions that mar the integrity or reputation of a person or thing—as when a beloved name is endangered by defilement [1], or when the purity of a reputation or cherished object must remain unsullied [2], [3]. At times the word is employed metaphorically, as in references to sullying snow or noble gems by corrupt acts [4], [5], while in other instances it appears simply as a proper name attached to historical figures or artists [6], [7]. Whether denoting a literal stain or a figurative blemish, sully is used to evoke the irreversible loss of purity or honor in a striking and unforgettable way [8], [9].