blacken
verb (used with object)
to make black; darken.
were blackening
-
past progressiveof blacken.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Their wounds were blackening, infected by fungi so aggressive that the flesh actually sprouted fuzzy white mold, as if they were a forgotten orange or loaf of bread.
From Scientific American ● Jul. 28, 2015
Many crosses were blackening with age, in the tall grass that covered the earth.
From Their Son; The Necklace by Eduardo Zamacois
In vain did the eye seek the end of those ranks; as far as the eye reached swarms of men and horses were blackening, vanishing in the smokes and fires of the distance.
From With Fire and Sword An Historical Novel of Poland and Russia. by Henryk Sienkiewicz
Two axes lay upon the sands beside me; chips and splinters were scattered broadcast, and the ashes of the bonfire were blackening and smoking under the dawn.
From The Island of Doctor Moreau by H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
It was a fresh and bright morning of early autumn, the sheaves were on the acres, and the grapes were blackening to the vintage, and the beasts and birds at least were merry.
From The Well at the World's End: a tale by William Morris
