Emily Dickinson Lexicon
Definition for BLACK'EN
BLACK'EN, v.t. [Sax. blæcan. See Black.]
- To make black. The importation of slaves that has blackened half America. – Franklin.
- To make dark; to darken; to cloud.
- To soil.
- To sully reputation; to make infamous; as, vice blackens the character.
Return to page 87 of the letter “B”.