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blank Definition

blank (blaŋk)

adjective

  1. Obsolete colorless or white
    1. not written, recorded, etc. on; not marked; empty a blank sheet of paper, a blank tape
    2. having empty spaces to be filled in
  3. having an empty, vacant, or monotonous look or character
    1. without interest or expression blank looks
    2. 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

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

noun

  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
    1. the center spot of a target
    2. 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
  8. a mark, usually a dash (—), indicating an omitted word, esp. an oath or curse

transitive verb

  1. ☆ to hold (an opponent) scoreless in a game
  2. to stamp with a die from flat stock

blank Related Forms

blank′ly adverb blank′·ness noun

blank Idioms

blank out

to cancel or obscure by covering over; void

draw a blank

  1. to draw a lottery ticket that fails to win
  2. Informal
    1. to be unsuccessful in any attempt
    2. to be unable to remember a particular thing

blank Synonyms

blank

modif.

  1. Without writing or other marks

    white, clear, virgin, fresh, unused, plain, empty, unmarked, untouched, pale, new, spotless, unadorned, bare; see also clean 1.

    Antonyms used*, inscribed, printed*. *

  2. Without meaning or expression

    impassive, expressionless, vague, vacant, vacuous, dull, glazed, glassy-eyed, hollow, empty, meaningless, fruitless, noncommittal, uncommunicative, masklike, stiff, immobile, inscrutable, deadpan, poker-faced.

    Antonyms excited*, expressive*, nervous. *

  3. Without content

    void, barren, vacant, vacuous; see empty 1.

  4. Bewildered

    disconcerted, nonplused, confused, muddled; see bewildered.

  5. Complete

    utter, total, unconditional; see absolute 1.

blank Synonyms

blank

n.

  1. An empty space

    void, hollow, hole, cavity, vacancy, space, gulf, nothingness, emptiness, hollowness, vacuity, abyss, opening, vacuum, tabula rasa (Latin), hiatus, gap, interval, lacuna; see also emptiness.

  2. A form

    questionnaire, data sheet, information blank; see form 5.

draw a blank*

fail to remember, be unable to remember, lose one's memory, disremember*; see forget 1.

blank Usage Examples

Object

  • plate: Remove the holding screw and remove the blanking plate.
  • plug: The blanking plugs should be replaced in the cylinders.

Converse of object

  • draw: So we asked around - and drew a blank.
  • leave: Leaving the search string blank will list the entire database.
  • trail: How can I open a file with a leading " gt " or trailing blanks?
  • embed: Fix CHMOD intrinsic to work with file names that have embedded blanks, commas, and so on.

Adjective modifier

gray: Finished with a deep gray blank with substantial high gloss black whippings.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

refuse: For months the British government refused point blank to give any clarification to Sinn Fein of the joint declaration.

Modifies a noun

  • canvas: Faced with the blank canvas of a new iMac, I asked my pal Chris what widgets I should download.
  • check: We in turn expect them to write blank checks, paying what we ultimately ask without question.
  • slate: They have a primeval conflict between good and evil, with human nature pitted against itself as if on a blank slate.
  • stare: They usually give me a blank stare or say it's an interesting question.
  • verse: Burial Stone of John Milton John Milton Nevertheless, Milton's use of blank verse was hugely influential for subsequent poets.
  • sheet: My idea of hell is a blank sheet of paper.

Used with adjective complement

leave: Leave blank any field which you want to be able to vary.

Noun used with modifier

  • reagent: Each batch included a reagent blank, and reference soy sauces containing approximately 0.005 and 0.1 mg/kg 1,3-DCP.
  • scoreline: But as they pushed for the opening goal the Ayr defense held tight to keep the scoreline blank at half time.
  • carp: This rod has a pleasing through action and when extended, could easily be mistaken for a two piece standard carp blank.
  • rod: Slimmer and lighter than rod blanks available at that time, they became an established success.
  • carbon: More... Q. Can your explain the grading of carbon blanks?