Darken

['dɑːk(ə)n] or ['dɑrkən]

Definition

(verb.) make dark or darker; 'darken a room'.

(verb.) become dark or darker; 'The sky darkened'.

(verb.) tarnish or stain; 'a scandal that darkened the family's good name'.

Checked by Gerald--From WordNet

Definition

(a.) To make dark or black; to deprive of light; to obscure; as, a darkened room.

(a.) To render dim; to deprive of vision.

(a.) To cloud, obscure, or perplex; to render less clear or intelligible.

(a.) To cast a gloom upon.

(a.) To make foul; to sully; to tarnish.

(v. i.) To grow or darker.

Edited by Jeanne

Synonyms and Synonymous

v. a. Obscure, cloud, dim, shade, shadow, make dark, make dim.

v. n. Grow dark.

Editor: Wilma

Examples

But it is likely that elaborate statements regarding this primary stage of knowledge will darken understanding. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
But I was not there to darken their way; I did not do that. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
Even so does he darken her life. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
The face of the hostess darkened with some shadow of perplexity, as she replied: 'Gaffer has never been where you have been. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
She knew that, in spite of his playfulness, his eyes could not change from their darkened vacancy, they were the eyes of a man who is dead. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
As the lid is closed, the picture becomes darkened, and by the gradual removal of the screen at the same time, it is changed into a transparency. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
He became deadly pale, and a dangerous flame darkened his eyes. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
The time went very slowly on, and Mr. Lorry's hope darkened, and his heart grew heavier again, and grew yet heavier and heavier every day. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
The spot on this occasion is the darkened brow of Mr. George; he is unusually thoughtful and depressed. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
I went through the dreary house, and darkened the windows. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
The room was darkening to his sight; the world was narrowing around him. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
Biddy cried; the darkening garden, and the lane, and the stars that were coming out, were blurred in my own sight. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
A great square house, with a heavy portico darkening the principal windows, as its master's heavy brows overshadowed his eyes. Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
While he stood observing the darkening scene somebody came up. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
I trace these lines, self-distrustfully, with the shadows of after-events darkening the very paper I write on; and still I say, what could I do? Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
With a darkening face my friend strode along the margin, eagerly observant of every muddy stain upon the mossy surface. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
At moments she was a Calvinist, and, sinking into the gulf of religious despair, she saw darkening over her the doom of reprobation. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
The mystery which darkens Sir Percival's life was not born with your daughter's birth, and has not died with your daughter's death. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
It matters little why or wherefore I am affected, no power can avert the stroke, and the shadow of Fate's uplifted hand already darkens me. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
Faster than ever river ran towards the sea, it flashes, darkens, and rolls away. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
When the plate has been in the developer for a few seconds, the silver coating gradually darkens, and slowly but surely the image printed by the sun's rays appears. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
Well, I must go in now; and you too: it darkens. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
Interposed between her and the fading light of day in the now quiet street, his shadow falls upon her, and he darkens all before her. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.

Editor: Philip