darken

Definition

To make dark or darker by reducing light.

Etymology

From Middle English derkenen, dirkenen, from Old English *deorcnian, *diercnian (“to darken”), from Proto-West Germanic *dirkinōn (“to darken”), equivalent to dark + -en. Cognate with Scots derken, durken (“to darken”), Old High German tarchanjan, terchinen (“to darken”), Middle High German terken, derken (“to darken”).

Example Sentences

• "[…] they [locusts] covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened […]"
• "So spake the Sovran voice, and Clouds began To darken all the Hill […]"
• "Almos is a hydrogen-helium gas giant with traces of sodium darkening its atmosphere."

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