Whit"en (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Whitened (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Whitening.] [OE. whitenen; cf. Icel. hvitna.]

To grow white; to turn or become white or whiter; as, the hair whitens with age; the sea whitens with foam; the trees in spring whiten with blossoms.

 

© Webster 1913.


Whit"en, v. t.

To make white; to bleach; to blanch; to whitewash; as, to whiten a wall; to whiten cloth.

The broad stream of the Foyle then whitened by vast flocks of wild swans. Macaulay.

Syn. -- See Blanch.

 

© Webster 1913.