Ebonize
/ˈɛbənˌaɪz/noun
To stain, dye, or otherwise make wood black or resemble ebony.
Did you know?The root behind “ebony” is traced through Greek and Latin to an ancient Egyptian word for the black wood prized in luxury objects and furniture.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Egypt
Egyptian
hbny
“Ebony, the dense black wood”
Classical Greek
Greek
ébenos
“Ebony wood”
Classical Latin
Latin
ebenus
“Ebony”
Old French / Middle English
French-English
ebene / eben
“Ebony or black-colored”
16th Century
English
ebon
“Black, especially ebony-black”
19th Century
English
ebonize
“To make black or give the appearance of ebony”
Explore more surprising origins