blanket

American  

[blang-kit] / ˈblæŋ kɪt /

noun

1. a large, rectangular piece of soft fabric, often with bound edges, used especially for warmth as a bed covering.

2. a similar piece of fabric used as a covering for a horse, dog, etc.

3. the chief garment traditionally worn by some American Indians.

4. any extended covering or layer.

   a blanket of snow.

   Synonyms:

   coating, overlay, mantel, coat, cover

5. Printing.

   1. (in a press for offset printing) the rubber-covered cylinder to which an inked impression is transferred from the plate for transfer directly to the paper.

   2. (in a press for letterpress printing) the resilient covering on the cylinder against which the paper is pressed in printing.

6. a thick roll or strip of material for thermal insulation.

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verb (used with object)

1. to cover with or as with a blanket.

   wild flowers blanketing the hillside.

2. to obscure or obstruct; interfere with; overpower (usually followed byout ).

   An electrical storm blanketed out the radio program.

3. to toss (someone) in a blanket, as in fraternity hazing.

4. Nautical. (of a vessel) to take wind from the sails of (another vessel) by passing closely to windward.

adjective

1. covering or intended to cover a large group or class of things, conditions, situations, etc..

   a blanket proposal; a blanket indictment.

idioms

1. born on the wrong side of the blanket, born out of wedlock.

blanket British  

/ ˈblæŋkɪt /

noun

1. a large piece of thick cloth for use as a bed covering, animal covering, etc, enabling a person or animal to retain natural body heat

2. a concealing cover or layer, as of smoke, leaves, or snow

3. a rubber or plastic sheet wrapped round a cylinder, used in offset printing to transfer the image from the plate, stone, or forme to the paper

4. physics a layer of a fertile substance placed round the core of a nuclear reactor as a reflector or absorber and often to breed new fissionable fuel

5. (modifier) applying to or covering a wide group or variety of people, conditions, situations, etc

   blanket insurance against loss, injury, and theft

6. informal illegitimate

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verb

1. to cover with or as if with a blanket; overlie

2. to cover a very wide area, as in a publicity campaign; give blanket coverage

3. (usually foll by out) to obscure or suppress

   the storm blanketed out the TV picture

4. nautical to prevent wind from reaching the sails of (another sailing vessel) by passing to windward of it

blanket More Idioms  

1. see security blanket; wet blanket.

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Other Word Forms

• blanketless adjective
• blanketlike adjective
• unblanketed adjective

Etymology

Origin of blanket

1250–1300; Middle English < Anglo-French, Old French, equivalent to blanc white ( blank ) + -et -et

Example Sentences

The women dragged mattresses and blankets to the floor to try to get some rest.

From Literature

For the past seven years in Leeds, the Homeless Street Angels charity has been providing food, shoes, sleeping bags and blankets for rough sleepers.

From BBC

The administration responded by imposing a blanket 10% global tariff, while European lawmakers have paused consideration of a trade deal with the U.S., adding further uncertainty to sentiment across the eurozone.

From The Wall Street Journal

The move, which also included a blanket ban on export of all raw minerals, aims to capture the added value of refining and processing, thus creating jobs and additional government tax revenue.

From Barron's

Héctor checked for vitals and then placed a paper blanket over the corpse.

From BBC

Related Words

• carpet
• cloak
• coat
• coating
• comforter
• layer
• mat
• quilt
• rug
• sheet