The word "singeing" is a verb that refers to burning the surface of something lightly to remove fur, feathers, or hair. It is spelled with the letters S-I-N-G-E-I-N-G with the stress on the first syllable. The IPA phonetic transcription of "singeing" is /ˈsɪn.dʒɪŋ/. It starts with the voiceless alveolar fricative sound /s/ followed by the vowel sound /ɪ/ (short "i"), and then the voiced postalveolar fricative sound /ndʒ/. Finally, it ends with the vowel sound /ɪ/ and the nasal consonant /ŋ/.
Singeing is a process in which the surface of a material, typically fabric, hair, or feathers, is briefly exposed to a flame or intense heat in order to remove unwanted elements or achieve a desired effect. This technique is used to burn off loose threads, hairs, or feathers on the surface of a material, resulting in a smooth and clean appearance.
In the context of fabric, singeing is commonly employed to eliminate protruding fibers and prevent pilling or fuzzing. By passing the material over a controlled flame or heated surface, the excessive fibers on the surface are singed off, leaving behind a neat and polished fabric.
Singeing can also be used as a decorative technique to create designs or patterns on fabrics. The controlled application of heat can cause specific areas of the fabric to darken, resulting in distinct visuals.
In the case of hair or feathers, singeing is employed to remove unwanted elements, such as split ends or loose strands, thereby promoting healthier and more manageable hair or feathers. By quickly passing the hair or feathers over a flame, the unwanted elements are burned off, leaving behind a cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Overall, singeing is a process utilized to improve the overall quality, appearance, and functionality of various materials by eliminating undesired elements through the application of heat.
Act of one who singes; a superficial burning.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "singeing" comes from Middle English "sengen", which is derived from Old English "sengan" or "sengian". In turn, both of these Old English words can be traced back to the Germanic root "sangijanan", meaning "to singe" or "to burn lightly". The term was originally used to describe the act of slightly burning the surface of something, often accomplished by quickly passing it through a flame or applying heat to it. Over time, "singeing" extended its meaning to include the removal of small protruding fibers from fabric using heat, as well as the burning off of animal hair or feathers to prepare them for processing or consumption.