blackened
UK: ˈblækənd | US: ˈblækənd
adj. darkened or made black by burning, charring, or staining
vt. past tense of "blacken": to make or become black
The word "blackened" derives from the Old English "blæc" (black) combined with the verb-forming suffix "-en," which turns nouns/adjectives into verbs (e.g., "darken," "soften"). The "-ed" suffix marks the past participle, indicating a completed action. Historically, "blacken" described the process of making something black, often through fire or dirt, and evolved metaphorically to mean "to defame" (e.g., "blacken someone's name"). The culinary term "blackened" (e.g., blackened fish) emerged in the 20th century, referring to food charred with spices.
The chef blackened the salmon with a spicy rub.
The sky blackened as the storm approached.
His reputation was blackened by false accusations.
The fireplace bricks were blackened from years of use.
She prefers blackened chicken for its smoky flavor.