despume

English

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English despumen, either borrowed from Old French despumer or Latin dēspūmō. Doublet of despumate.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /dɪˈspjuːm/

Verb

despume (third-person singular simple present despumes, present participle despuming, simple past and past participle despumed)

  1. (obsolete, transitive) To free from spume, foam or scum.
    • 1657, Jean de Renou, translated by Rich Tomlinson, A Medicinal Dispensatory: Containing the Whole Body of Physick : Discovering the Natures, Properties, and Vertues of Vegetables, Minerals, & Animals:
      The Honey must first be cocted in water, and despumed; then must the Vinegar be by little and little adjected

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