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blacken in Maithili মৈথিলী

blacken in Marathi मराठी

blacken in Sindhi سنڌي

blacken in Urdu اُردُو

blacken in English

  • blacken
    blacken, verb, -ened,-ening.

  • blacken
    noun blackener.

  • blacken
    v.i. to become black.
    Ex. The sky blackened and soon it began to rain.
    (SYN) darken.

  • blacken
    v.t. 1. to make black.
    Ex. Soot blackened the snow.
    (SYN) darken.
    2. to speak evil of.
    Ex. She blackened his character with false gossip.
    (SYN) slander, defame.

Blacken

Part of Speech

Verb

Pronunciation

/ˈblakən/

Definitions

  • Verb: To make or become black, typically due to burning, dirt, or discoloration.
  • Verb: To tarnish or stain the reputation or character of someone or something.

Usage Examples

  • The smoke from the fire began to blacken the walls of the room.
  • His actions blackened his once-stellar reputation among his peers.
  • The chef accidentally blackened the edges of the roast while cooking it.

Etymology

The word "blacken" comes from the Old English word "blac" meaning "black," with the verb suffix "-en" indicating the action of making something black or dark. The word has been in use since the Middle Ages to describe the process of becoming or causing something to become dark or blackened.

Synonyms

  • Darken
  • Stain
  • Smudge
  • Soil
  • Tarnish

Antonyms

  • Brighten
  • Clean
  • Polish
  • Clarify
  • Purify

Translations

Language Translation Pronunciation
Arabic يسود Yasuwd
Chinese (Simplified) 变黑 Biàn hēi
French Noircir Nwar-seer
German Verdunkeln Fer-dunk-eln
Hindi काला करना Kālā karnā
Italian Imbrunire Im-broo-nee-ray
Japanese 黒くする Kuroku suru
Spanish Oscurecer Os-koo-re-ser

Regional Pronunciation Variations

In various English-speaking regions, "blacken" may be pronounced with subtle variations. In certain dialects, the first syllable may be slightly stressed, or the "e" may sound more like a short "a" in some accents.

Historical Usage

The verb "blacken" has been used since Old English to describe both the process of making something dark or black and the figurative sense of damaging one's reputation. Historically, the term was frequently used in the context of cooking, especially when referring to the technique of charring food, such as "blackened" fish or meat.

Cultural Nuances

In certain cultures, particularly in Southern U.S. cooking, "blackened" refers to a cooking technique where meat or fish is seared in a hot pan with a seasoning mixture that darkens the surface. This technique has become widely known and popular, though it has no connection to the negative connotations of "blacken" when used to tarnish a reputation.

More Information

The term "blacken" can be used both literally and figuratively. Literally, it refers to turning something black, whether through burning, charring, or staining. It is commonly used in cooking, where foods are seared at high heat to create a blackened, flavorful crust. Figuratively, it refers to ruining the reputation or integrity of a person or institution, often through slander or misinformation. The dual meaning of the word highlights both its literal and metaphorical applications in various contexts.

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