blindfold

American  

[blahynd-fohld] / ˈblaɪndˌfoʊld /

verb (used with object)

1. to prevent or occlude sight by covering (the eyes) with a cloth, bandage, or the like; cover the eyes of.

2. to impair the awareness or clear thinking of.

   Don't let their hospitality blindfold you to the true purpose of their invitation.

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noun

1. a cloth or bandage put before the eyes to prevent seeing.

adjective

1. with the eyes covered.

   a blindfold test.

2. rash; unthinking.

   a blindfold denunciation before knowing the facts.

blindfold British  

/ ˈblaɪndˌfəʊld /

verb

1. to prevent (a person or animal) from seeing by covering (the eyes)

2. to prevent from perceiving or understanding

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noun

1. a piece of cloth, bandage, etc, used to cover the eyes

2. any interference to sight

adjective

1. having the eyes covered with a cloth or bandage

2. chess not seeing the board and pieces

3. rash; inconsiderate

Other Word Forms

• unblindfolded adjective

Etymology

Origin of blindfold

1520–30; alteration, by association with fold ¹, of blindfell to cover the eyes, strike blind, Middle English blindfellen; blind, fell ²

Example Sentences

The host handed me a blindfold and Bose noise-canceling headphones, playing the hypnotic sounds of a space drum with birds chirping in the distance.

From Los Angeles Times

“And the next gate, you can’t see it until you’re pretty much on top of it. You might as well put on a blindfold because you can’t see anything in front of you.”

From Los Angeles Times

The woman also recalled playing a game where a person would eat chocolate blindfolded.

From BBC

Since he and everyone else are blindfolded, Rausch is confident no one will notice that tell.

From Salon

This reporter and a photographer were blindfolded and driven for about 45 minutes before being taken into one facility doing work on the Flamingo.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• curtain
• screen