Black″en (�), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Blackened (�); p. pr. & vb. n.Blackening.] [See Black, a., and cf. Black, v. t.] 1. To make or render black.
While the long funerals blacken all the way.
Pope.
2. To make dark; to darken; to cloud. “Blackened the whole heavens.” South.
3. To defame; to sully, as reputation; to make infamous; as, vice blackens the character.
Syn. — To denigrate; defame; vilify; slander; calumniate; traduce; malign; asperse.