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Glite Dictionary
to infuscate

to infuscate

9.9
To make something dark brown, especially parts of plants or insects
  • verb
  • /ɪnˈfʌskeɪt/
  • Specialized
: infuscar
  • The leaves infuscate during the autumn months.

Examples

  • Some beetle species naturally infuscate the edges of their wing covers.

  • The scientist noted that the wings appeared to infuscate after exposure to sunlight.

  • As the seeds mature, their outer layer tends to infuscate, giving them a characteristic brown hue.

  • Some species of insects infuscate to blend into their environment.

  • As the seeds mature, their outer layer tends to infuscate, giving them a characteristic brown hue.

  • The wings of some moths infuscate after exposure to light, taking on a darker appearance.

  • Some species of insects infuscate their bodies to better blend into their surroundings.

Synonyms

to stain
vsto infuscate
46 3.2

To put color on something to change how it looks

is a dark brownish surface change mainly found on insects or plants
to pigment
vsto infuscate
1 5.1

To add color to something by applying a colored substance or by natural change

is a specific dark brownish change mainly seen on insects or plants
to imbue
vsto infuscate
1 7.7

To give a material or object a deep color

darkens with a brownish tinge rather than deeply saturating material
to dye
vsto infuscate
  • Specialized
1 6.3

To add color to a small sample of cells so parts show under a microscope

is a dark brownish change of organisms rather than a lab coloring procedure

Antonyms

to brighten
10 2.1

To become less cloudy with more light

How Dark

to blacken
16 3.4
to darken
38 3.3
to infuscate
  • Specialized
9.9
to stain
46 3.2
to tint
6 3.6

Surface Forms

infuscate infinitive
infuscated past
infuscated past participle
infuscating present participle
infuscates third person singular

Morphology

infuscate = fuscate (opaque) = in + fusc + ate

The root 'fusc' is not a standalone English word, making the derivation less clear to learners.

Etymology

Infuscate comes from Latin parts in- 'in' and fuscus 'dark', the same root you see in the English word obfuscate 'to make unclear' or 'to darken' an idea. So to infuscate is to make something darker or to stain it with a brownish, dark color.