blot

Meanings

Noun

• A blemish, spot or stain made by a coloured substance.
• A stain on someone's reputation or character; a disgrace.
• A method of transferring proteins, DNA or RNA, onto a carrier.
• An exposed piece in backgammon.

Verb

• to cause a blot (on something) by spilling a coloured substance.
• to soak up or absorb liquid.
• To dry (writing, etc.) with blotting paper.
• To spot, stain, or bespatter, as with ink.
• To impair; to damage; to mar; to soil.
• To stain with infamy; to disgrace.
• To obliterate, as writing with ink; to cancel; to efface; generally with out.
• To obscure; to eclipse; to shadow.

Origin

• From Middle English blot. Perhaps from Old Norse *blettr (only attested in documents from after Old Norse transitioned to Icelandic blettur), or from Old French bloche.