blacken Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb make or become black
    melanize; black; melanise; nigrify.
    • The smoke blackened the ceiling
    • The ceiling blackened
  2. verb burn slightly and superficially so as to affect color
    char; sear; scorch.
    • The cook blackened the chicken breast
    • The fire charred the ceiling above the mantelpiece
    • the flames scorched the ceiling

WordNet

Black"en transitive verb
Etymology
See Black, a., and cf. Black, v. t.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Blackened present participle & verbal noun Blackening
Definitions
  1. To make or render black.
    While the long funerals blacken all the way.
Black"en intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To grow black or dark.

Webster 1913