blacken
UK: ˈblækən | US: ˈblækən
vt. to make or become black or dark
vi. to grow dark or gloomy
The word "blacken" combines "black," derived from Old English blæc (meaning "dark, ink"), with the suffix "-en," which originates from Old English -nian and is used to form verbs meaning "to become or cause to be." The suffix "-en" is productive in English, often turning adjectives into verbs (e.g., "whiten," "soften"). The logical progression is straightforward: "black" (color) + "-en" (action) = "to make black." This reflects a common Germanic pattern of verb formation.
The smoke began to blacken the white walls of the kitchen.
Over time, the silver jewelry will blacken if not polished regularly.
The scandal threatened to blacken his reputation permanently.
The sky blackened as the storm approached.
She used a torch to blacken the edges of the paper for an antique effect.