whiten

Definition

(To cause) to become white or whiter; to bleach or blanch.

Etymology

From Middle English whitenen, whitnen, from Old Norse hvítna (“to whiten”), from Proto-Germanic *hwītnōną (“to whiten, become white”), from Proto-Indo-European *kwind-, *kwint- (“bright”), equivalent to white + -en. Cognate with Icelandic hvítna (“to whiten”), Swedish vitna, hvitna (“to whiten”), Danish hvidne (“to whiten”). Compare Old English hwītian (“to whiten, become white, be white, make white”).

Example Sentences

• "Age had whitened his hair."
• "The trees in spring whiten with blossoms."
• "Whenever black people are furious with me, I walk over to them and whiten their face, and scream and scream and scream 'daddy’s the boss.'"