blanch
UK: blɑːntʃ | US: blæntʃ
vt. to whiten by removing color (e.g., through boiling or sunlight)
vt. to cause to turn pale, especially from fear or shock
vi. to become pale or white
blanch = blanc<white> + h<verb suffix (Old French influence)>
- blanc: From Old French blanc (white), derived from Proto-Germanic blankaz (bright, white).
- h: A verb-forming suffix in Old French, often retained in English to indicate action.
Etymology Origin:
The word blanch entered Middle English from Old French blanchir (to whiten), which itself stemmed from blanc (white). The Proto-Germanic root blankaz reflects brightness or purity, linking to modern meanings of whitening or paling. The verb suffix -ir (Old French) was simplified to -h in English, preserving the core idea of "making white."
She blanched the almonds before adding them to the cake batter.
His face blanched when he heard the shocking news.
The gardener blanched the celery stalks to reduce bitterness.
The fabric blanched after years of sunlight exposure.
He blanched at the sight of blood.