I. ˈblēch verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle English blechen, from Old English blǣcean, causative-denominative from the root of Old English blāc pale; akin to Middle High German bleichen to make pale, Old High German bleih pale, Old Norse bleikja to bleach, bleikr pale, Lithuanian blizgėti to glitter, shine, Old English bǣl fire, pyre — more at bald
transitive verb
1.
a. : to remove the color or stains from (as natural fibers, cellulosic pulp, or fats) especially by chemical means (as by oxidizing agents or less often by reducing agents) — compare blanch , decolorize
b. : purify
c. : to whiten especially by an oxidizing agent
bleaching flour
d. : to lighten the shade of (hair) by use of a chemical (as hydrogen peroxide) that removes color
2.
a. archaic : to cause to whiten : make pale as from fear
liberty … bleached the tyrant's cheek — Tobias Smollett
b. : to make pure and decent
bleaching the barroom stories for polite use
c. : to make pallid and dull : remove the emotional intensity from
bleaching the affect
3. : to remove the original silver image from (a photographic negative or positive)
intransitive verb
1. of a material object : to grow white : lose color
2. of the countenance : to become pale : blanch
II. noun
( -es )
1. : the act or process of whitening or lightening the color of something
this cloth is still stained; you'll have to give it another bleach
2. : a chemical or preparation used in bleaching
peroxide is a common bleach for the hair
3. : the result of bleaching : the color or degree of whiteness obtained by bleaching
a perfect bleach is seldom attained in one treatment