nigrify

[ nig-ruh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, nig·ri·fied, nig·ri·fy·ing.

1. to blacken.

Other Words From

• nigri·fi·cation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of nigrify¹

First recorded 1650–60; from Latin nigrificāre “to make black, blacken,” equivalent to nigr- (stem of niger ) “black” + -i- connecting vowel + -ficāre verbal suffix; -i-, -fy