Part 706

Blotch (&?;), n. [Cf. OE. blacche in blacchepot blacking pot, akin to black, as bleach is akin to bleak. See Black, a., or cf. Blot a spot.] 1. A blot or spot, as of color or of ink; especially a large or irregular spot. Also Fig.; as, a moral blotch.

Spots and blotches . . . some red, others yellow. Harvey.

2. (Med.) A large pustule, or a coarse eruption.

Foul scurf and blotches him defile. Thomson.

Blotched (&?;), a. Marked or covered with blotches.

To give their blotched and blistered bodies ease. Drayton.

Blotch"y (&?;), a. Having blotches.

Blote (&?;), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bloted; p. pr. & vb. n. Bloting.] [Cf. Sw. blöt-fisk soaked fish, fr. blöta to soak. See 1st Bloat.] To cure, as herrings, by salting and smoking them; to bloat. [Obs.]

Blot"less (&?;), a. Without blot.

Blot"ter (blt"tr), n. 1. One who, or that which, blots; esp. a device for absorbing superfluous ink.

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2. (Com.) A wastebook, in which entries of transactions are made as they take place.

Blot*tesque" (blt*tsk"), a. (Painting) Characterized by blots or heavy touches; coarsely depicted; wanting in delineation. Ruskin.

Blot"ting pa`per (p`pr). A kind of thick, bibulous, unsized paper, used to absorb superfluous ink from freshly written manuscript, and thus prevent blots.

Blouse (blouz; F. blz), n. [F. blouse. Of unknown origin.] A light, loose over-garment, like a smock frock, worn especially by workingmen in France; also, a loose coat of any material, as the undress uniform coat of the United States army.

Blow (bl), v. i. [imp. Blew (bl); p. p. Blown (bln); p. pr. & vb. n. Blowing.] [OE. blowen, AS. blwan to blossom; akin to OS. bljan, D. bloeijen, OHG. pluojan, MHG. blüejen, G. blühen, L. florere to flourish, OIr. blath blossom. Cf. Blow to puff, Flourish.] To flower; to blossom; to bloom.

How blows the citron grove. Milton.

Blow, v. t. To cause to blossom; to put forth (blossoms or flowers).

The odorous banks, that blow Flowers of more mingled hue. Milton.

Blow, n. (Bot.) A blossom; a flower; also, a state of blossoming; a mass of blossoms. "Such a blow of tulips." Tatler.

Blow, n. [OE. blaw, blowe; cf. OHG. bliuwan, pliuwan, to beat, G. bläuen, Goth. bliggwan.] 1. A forcible stroke with the hand, fist, or some instrument, as a rod, a club, an ax, or a sword.

Well struck ! there was blow for blow. Shak.

2. A sudden or forcible act or effort; an assault.

A vigorous blow might win [Hanno's camp]. T. Arnold.

3. The infliction of evil; a sudden calamity; something which produces mental, physical, or financial suffering or loss (esp. when sudden); a buffet.

A most poor man, made tame to fortune's blows. Shak.

At a blow, suddenly; at one effort; by a single vigorous act. "They lose a province at a blow." Dryden. -- To come to blows, to engage in combat; to fight; - - said of individuals, armies, and nations.

Syn. -- Stroke; knock; shock; misfortune.