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caramelize

[kar-uh-muh-lahyz, kahr-muh-]
verb (used with or without object), car·a·mel·ized, car·a·mel·iz·ing.
  1. to convert or be converted into caramel.
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Also especially British, car·a·mel·ise.

Origin of caramelize

First recorded in 1720–30; caramel + -ize
Related formscar·a·mel·i·za·tion, nounun·car·a·mel·ized, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for caramelize

Historical Examples of caramelize

  • Caramelize one cup of the sugar and add two cups of water to dissolve.

    Quantity Cookery

    Lenore Richards

  • Caramelize half the sugar and add to it the 1/2 cupful of boiling water.

    Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 4

    Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences

  • Caramelize 1/2 cupful of the sugar, add the water, and cook until the caramel has dissolved.

    Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 4

    Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences

  • When all the water has boiled away, the sugar begins to caramelize or become brown, and develops a characteristic flavor.

    Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 1

    Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences

  • Caramelize the sugar, add the hot water and pour over the softened gelatin.

    Quantity Cookery

    Lenore Richards

British Dictionary definitions for caramelize

caramelize

caramelise

verb
  1. to convert or be converted into caramel
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for caramelize

v.

1837, from caramel + -ize. Earlier was past participle adjective carameled (1727). Related: Caramelized; caramelizing.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper