blot

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a blemish made by dirt
  2. noun an act that brings discredit to the person who does it
  3. verb dry (ink) with blotting paper

Etymology

From Middle English blot (“blot, spot, stain, blemish”). Perhaps from Old Norse *blettr (“blot, stain”) (only attested in documents from after Old Norse transitioned to Icelandic blettur), or from Old French bloche (“clod of earth”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

smudge, spot, daub, smear, smirch, slur

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