blank

I. adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French blanc colorless, white, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German blanch white; probably akin to Latin flagrare to burn — more at black Date: 14th century 1. archaic colorless 2. a. appearing or causing to appear dazed, confounded, or nonplussed <

stared in blank dismay

> b. expressionless <

a blank stare

> 3. a. devoid of covering or content; especially free from writing or marks <

blank paper

> b. having spaces to be filled in c. lacking interest, variety, or change <

blank hours

> 4. absolute, unqualified <

a blank refusal

> 5. unfinished; especially having a plain or unbroken surface where an opening is usual <

a blank key

> <

a blank arch

> Synonyms: see empty • blankly adverb • blankness noun II. noun Date: 1554 1. obsolete the bull's-eye of a target 2. a. an empty space (as on a paper) b. a paper with spaces for the entry of data <

an order blank

> 3. a. a piece of material prepared to be made into something (as a key) by a further operation b. a cartridge loaded with propellant and a seal but no projectile 4. a. an empty or featureless place or space <

my mind was a blank

> b. a vacant or uneventful period <

a long blank in history

> 5. a dash substituting for an omitted word III. verb Date: circa 1765 transitive verb 1. a. obscure, obliterate <

blank out a line

> b. to stop access to ; seal <

blank off a tunnel

> 2. to keep (an opponent) from scoring <

were blanked for eight innings

> intransitive verb 1. fade — usually used with out <

the music blanked out

> 2. to become confused or abstracted — often used with out <

his mind blanked out momentarily

>