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singe

 - 3 dictionary results

singe

  [sinj] verb, singed, singe⋅ing, noun
Use singe in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to burn superficially or slightly; scorch.
2. to burn the ends, projections, nap, or the like, of (hair, cloth, etc.).
3. to subject (the carcass of an animal or bird) to flame in order to remove hair, bristles, feathers, etc.
–noun
4. a superficial burn.
5. the act of singeing.
Origin:
bef. 1000; ME sengen (v.), OE sencgan; c. D zengen, G sengen; akin to ON sangr singed, burnt

Related forms:
singe⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. char. See burn 1 .
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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singe   (sĭnj)   
tr.v.   singed, singe·ing, sing·es

  1. To burn superficially; scorch.

  2. To burn off the feathers or bristles of (a carcass of a bird or animal) by subjecting briefly to flame. See Synonyms at burn1.

  3. To burn the ends of (hair, for example).

  4. To burn the nap from (cloth) in manufacturing.

n.  A slight or surface burn; a scorch.

[Middle English sengen, from Old English sengan.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

singe 
O.E. sengan "to burn lightly, burn the edges" (of hair, wings, etc.), from P.Gmc. *sangjanan (cf. O.Fris. of-sendza, M.Du. singhen, Du. zengen, Ger. sengen "to singe"). The root often is said to be related to that of sing, on the idea of some sort of sound produced by singeing.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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