verhitzen

Verhitzen is a German verb meaning to heat up or to raise the temperature of something, typically to a higher level. The prefix ver- combined with the root hitzen (related to heizen) marks a change of state achieved by applying heat. The term is relatively rare in everyday conversation and is more common in technical, industrial, or culinary contexts where precise control of temperature is important. Depending on context, verhitzen may convey a deliberate heating to a higher temperature (to warm up or to bring to usefulness) or an excessive heating that can risk damage or overheating.

In contrast to more common verbs like erhitzen (to heat up) or aufheizen (to heat up, raise in temperature), verhitzen tends to carry a nuance of targeting, completion, or, in some contexts, excess. The English translations are, accordingly, "to heat up," "to reheat," or "to overheat," depending on context.

Etymology: from ver- prefix plus hitzen, a now less common or archaic form of heizen. The usage is more specialized today.

See also: überhitzen, erhitzen, aufheizen, Heizen.