singe

views updated May 18 2018

singe / sinj/ • v. (singe·ing) [tr.] burn (something) superficially or lightly: the fire had singed his eyebrows | [as adj.] (singed) a smell of singed feathers. ∎  [intr.] be burned in this way: the heat was so intense I could feel the hairs on my hands singe. ∎  burn the bristles or down off (the carcass of a pig or fowl) to prepare it for cooking.• n. a superficial burn.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

singe

views updated Jun 11 2018

singe OE. senċġan, sænċġan (usu. besenċġan) = OS. bisengian (Du. zengen), (M)HG. sengen :- WGmc. *saŋgjan, f. *saŋg- *seŋg- *suŋg-, repr. also by Du. sengel spark, MHG. senge dryness, etc.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

singe

views updated May 11 2018

singe To pass a plucked bird quickly over a flame to burn off the down.

A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition DAVID A. BENDER

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