soot

[ soo t, soot ]
/ sʊt, sut /

noun

a black, carbonaceous substance produced during incomplete combustion of coal, wood, oil, etc., rising in fine particles and adhering to the sides of the chimney or pipe conveying the smoke: also conveyed in the atmosphere to other locations.

verb (used with object)

to mark, cover, or treat with soot.

Origin of soot

before 900; Middle English; Old English sōt; cognate with Old Norse sōt

OTHER WORDS FROM soot

soot·less, adjective soot·like, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for soot

British Dictionary definitions for soot

soot
/ (sʊt) /

noun

finely divided carbon deposited from flames during the incomplete combustion of organic substances such as coal

verb

(tr) to cover with soot

Word Origin for soot

Old English sōt; related to Old Norse, Middle Low German sōt, Lithuanian sódis, Old Slavonic sažda, Old Irish sūide

Scientific definitions for soot

soot
[ sut ]

A black, powdery substance that consists mainly of carbon and is formed through the incomplete combustion of wood, coal, diesel oil, or other materials. Because it absorbs energy from sunlight rather than reflecting it, soot is believed to be a cause of global warming, especially when it settles on snow and ice, reducing their reflectivity. Soot particles in the air are a contributing factor in respiratory diseases.