blank

blank [blaŋk]

adj.

[ME < OFr blanc, white < Frank * blank, white, gleaming, akin to OE blanca, white steed < IE * bhleg-, to shine: see BLACK]

1. Obs. colorless or white

2.

a) not written, recorded, etc. on; not marked; empty [a blank sheet of paper, a blank tape]

b) having empty spaces to be filled in

3. having an empty, vacant, or monotonous look or character

4.

a) without interest or expression [blank looks]

b) showing incomprehension or confusion

5. empty of thought; lacking ideas [a blank mind]

6. unproductive; barren [blank years]

7. utter; complete [a blank denial]

8. lacking certain elements or characteristics, as a wall without an opening

9. Slang BLANKETY-BLANK

n.

1. an empty space, esp. one to be filled in on a printed form, school test, etc.

2. a printed form or document with such empty spaces

3. an emptiness; vacant place or time; void

4.

a) the center spot of a target

b) anything aimed at or pointed at

5. a manufactured article yet to be cut to a pattern or marked with a design [a key blank]

6. a lottery ticket that fails to win

7. a powder-filled cartridge without a bullet: in full blank cartridge

8. a mark, usually a dash (—), indicating an omitted word, esp. an oath or curse

vt.

☆ 1. to hold (an opponent) scoreless in a game

2. to stamp with a die from flat stock

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blank out

to cancel or obscure by covering over; void

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draw a blank

1. to draw a lottery ticket that fails to win

2. Informal

a) to be unsuccessful in any attempt

b) to be unable to remember a particular thing

blankly

adv.

blankness

n.