blindfold

[blahynd-fohld]

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.

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

/ ˈblaɪndˌfəʊld /

verb

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

2. to prevent from perceiving or understanding

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of blindfold¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of blindfold¹

changed (C16) through association with _fold ¹ from Old English blindfellian to strike blind; see _blind , _fell ²

Example Sentences

"They beat us, dragged us along the ground, blindfolded us, tied our hands and feet, put us in cages and insulted us," he alleged.

From BBC

"My eyes were blindfolded, but I could hear men and children and they started to lynch me with their bare hands, and the kids' shoes start to hit me when I was on the ground."

From BBC

Videos circulating on Sunday evening showed at least five armed and masked men, three blindfolded Palestinian men kneeling on the ground and a large crowd.

From BBC

Russian troops forced both men to the ground, bound and blindfolded them, and marched them into captivity.

From BBC

Sativa says he was handcuffed, blindfolded and brutally beaten, including being struck repeatedly on his head, back and legs with the flat side of a machete.

From BBC

Related Words

• curtain 
• screen