Blot

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /blÉ’t/
• Rhymes: -É’t
• GenAm IPA: /blÉ‘t/

Origin

Originally "blemish," perhaps from Old Norse blettr, or from Old French bloche ("clod of earth")

Full definition of blot

Noun

1. A blemish, spot or stain made by a coloured substance.
• Shakespeareinky blots
2. (by extension) A stain on someone's reputation or character; a disgrace.
• ShakespeareThis deadly blot in thy digressing son.
3. (biochemistry) The Southern blot analysis (and derived Northern and Western) analytical techniques.
4. (backgammon) an exposed piece in backgammon.

Verb

1. (transitive) to cause a blot (on something) by spilling a coloured substance.
2. (intransitive) to soak up or absorb liquid.This paper blots easily.
3. (transitive) To dry (writing, etc.) with blotting paper.
4. (transitive) To spot, stain, or bespatter, as with ink.
• GascoigneThe briefe was writte and blotted all with gore.
5. (transitive) To impair; to damage; to mar; to soil.
• ShakespeareIt blots thy beauty, as frosts do bite the meads.
6. (transitive) To stain with infamy; to disgrace.
• RoweBlot not thy innocence with guiltless blood.
7. (transitive) To obliterate, as writing with ink; to cancel; to efface; generally with out.to blot out a word or a sentence
• DrydenOne act like this blots out a thousand crimes.
8. (transitive) To obscure; to eclipse; to shadow.
• CowleyHe sung how earth blots the moon's gilded wane.

Derived terms

• blotting paper
• blot out

Anagrams

• bolt, Bolt