Singe

Pronunciation

• IPA: /sɪndÍ¡Ê’/
• Rhymes: -ɪndÊ’

Origin

From Middle English sengen, from Old English sengan, sæncgan ("to singe, burn slightly, scorch, afflict"), from Proto-Germanic *sangijaną ("to burn, torch"), from Proto-Indo-European *senk- ("to burn"). Cognate with Dutch zengen ("to singe, scorch"), German sengen ("to singe, scorch"), Icelandic sangr ("burnt, scorched").

Full definition of singe

Verb

1. (transitive) To burn slightly.
• L'EstrangeI singed the toes of an ape through a burning glass.
2. (transitive) To remove the nap of (cloth), by passing it rapidly over a red-hot bar, or over a flame, preliminary to dyeing it.
3. (transitive) To remove the hair or down from (a plucked chicken, etc.) by passing it over a flame.

Synonyms

• scorch

Noun

1. A burning of the surface; a slight burn.