singe etymology

Etymology

The word "singe" can be traced back to several origins:

  • Old English "senge," meaning a burning or singeing
  • Medieval Latin "singilare," meaning to scorch or burn slightly
  • Indo-European root "seng-," meaning to burn or roast

Meaning

The word "singe" has multiple meanings:

  1. To burn or scorch lightly: To expose something to heat, typically without causing severe damage.
  2. To burn the surface of something: To cause a thin layer of something to burn, such as singed fabric or hair.
  3. To burn or scorch the surface of something accidentally: To have something accidentally come into contact with a source of heat and get burned slightly.
  4. (Figurative) To damage or impair something slightly:** To cause something to lose its effectiveness or value, often due to a flaw or oversight.

Origin

The word "singe" originated in the Indo-European language family thousands of years ago. It evolved through Old English and Medieval Latin before entering modern English in the 14th century. The word's original meaning of "to burn or scorch" has remained consistent throughout history.

singe relate terms

  • scorch

    Etymology Middle English scorchen from Old English sċeorċan Proto Germanic skurkj

  • sear

    Etymology From Middle English sear from Old English sær from Proto Germanic _saira_

  • scorch

    Etymology Middle English scorchen from Old English sċeorċan Proto Germanic skurkj

  • ember

    Etymology Ember derives from the Old English word æmrne pronounced eem ruh which

  • combustion

    Etymology The word combustion comes from Latin comburere to burn com prefi

  • broil

    Etymology The word broil comes from the Old French word broiller which means to gr

  • Selene

    Etymology Greek Σελήνη Selēnē moon Meaning Moon goddess or goddes

  • combust

    Etymology Latin combustus past participle of comburere to burn Proto Indo European

  • burn

    Etymology The word burn comes from the Old English word byrnan which means to burn

  • rase

    Etymology Old English ras bald clean shaven Middle English ras bald clean shav