blot
1a spot or stain, especially of ink on paper.
a blemish on a person's character or reputation: He had been haunted by a blot on his past.
Archaic. an erasure or obliteration, as in a writing.
to spot, stain, soil, or the like.
to darken; make dim; obscure or eclipse (usually followed by out): We watched as the moon blotted out the sun.
to dry with absorbent paper or the like: to blot the wet pane.
to remove with absorbent paper or the like.
to make a blot; spread ink, dye, etc., in a stain: The more slowly I write, the more this pen blots.
to become blotted or stained: This paper blots too easily.
Chemistry. to transfer an array of separated components of a mixture to a chemically treated paper for analysis.: Compare gel (def. 4), gel electrophoresis.
blot out,
to make indistinguishable; obliterate: to blot out a name from the record.
to wipe out completely; destroy: Whole cities were blotted out by bombs.
Origin of blot
1Other words for blot
Other words from blot
- blotless, adjective
- blot·ting·ly, adverb
- blotty, adjective
- un·blot·ted, adjective
Other definitions for blot (2 of 2)
Backgammon. an exposed piece liable to be taken or forfeited.
Archaic. an exposed or weak point, as in an argument or course of action.
Origin of blot
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use blot in a sentence
The moderate use of brandy was universal, but the drunkenness which blots these days of prohibitory laws was comparatively rare.
On this great and tearful day the angel Samal finds no blots, no sins on Israel.
Footnote 184: This remark refers to several blots of ink which disfigure the page of his Journal on which he was writing.
The Military Journals of Two Private Soldiers, 1758-1775 | Abraham TomlinsonHe was, however, sincerely proud of the glories of London, while always ready to denounce the blots on her scutcheon.
Mr. Punch's History of Modern England Vol. IV of IV. | Charles L. GravesOf his school-days, a record with all the blots and errors worked into the text and made to do duty for ornaments.
Somehow Good | William de Morgan
British Dictionary definitions for blot (1 of 2)
/ (blɒt) /
a stain or spot of ink, paint, dirt, etc
something that spoils or detracts from the beauty or worth of something
a blemish or stain on one's character or reputation
(of ink, dye, etc) to form spots or blobs on (a material) or (of a person) to cause such spots or blobs to form on (a material)
blot one's copybook informal to spoil one's reputation by making a mistake, offending against social customs, etc
(intr) to stain or become stained or spotted
(tr) to cause a blemish in or on; disgrace
to soak up (excess ink, etc) by using blotting paper or some other absorbent material
(of blotting paper or some other absorbent material) to absorb (excess ink, etc)
(tr often foll by out)
to darken or hide completely; obscure; obliterate
to destroy; annihilate
Origin of blot
1British Dictionary definitions for blot (2 of 2)
/ (blɒt) /
backgammon a man exposed by being placed alone on a point and therefore able to be taken by the other player
archaic a weak spot
Origin of blot
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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