from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Blacken \Black"en\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blackened}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Blackening}.] [See {Black}, a., and cf. {Black}, v.
t. ]
1. To make or render black.
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While the long funerals blacken all the way. --Pope.
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2. To make dark; to darken; to cloud. "Blackened the whole
heavens." --South.
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3. To defame; to sully, as reputation; to make infamous; as,
vice blackens the character.
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Syn: To denigrate; defame; vilify; slander; calumniate;
traduce; malign; asperse.
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