Word of the Day 9.20.08

blanched

blanch (blnch) also blench (blnch)

v. blanched also blenched, blanch·ing also blench·ing, blanch·es also blench·es

v.tr.

1. To take the color from; bleach.

2. To whiten (a growing plant or plant part) by covering to cut off direct light.

3. To whiten (a metal) by soaking in acid or by coating with tin.

4.

a. To scald (almonds, for example) in order to loosen the skin.

b. To scald (food) briefly, as before freezing or as a preliminary stage in preparing a dish.

5. To cause to turn white or become pale.

v.intr.

To turn white or become pale: Their faces blanched in terror.


[Middle English blaunchen, to make white, from Old French blanchir, from blanche, feminine of blanc, white, of Germanic origin; see bhel-1 in Indo-European roots.]

Adj.

1.

blanched - anemic looking from illness or emotion; “a face turned ashen”; “the invalid’s blanched cheeks”; “tried to speak with bloodless lips”; “a face livid with shock”; “lips…livid with the hue of death”- Mary W. Shelley; “lips white with terror”; “a face white with rage”

colorless, colourless - weak in color; not colorful

2.

blanched - (especially of plants) developed without chlorophyll by being deprived of light; “etiolated celery”

plant life, flora, plant - (botany) a living organism lacking the power of locomotion

colorless, colourless - weak in color; not colorful

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2008 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

Posted on September 20, 2008 by admin

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