■ noun
1》 a large piece of woollen material used as a covering for warmth, as on a bed.
2》 a thick mass or layer: a ~ of cloud.
3》 a rubber surface used for transferring the image in ink from the plate to the paper in offset printing.
■ adjective covering all cases; total: a ~ ban on tobacco advertising.
■ verb ( ~s , ~ing , ~ed )
1》 cover completely with a thick layer.
2》 Sailing take wind from the sails of (another craft) by passing to windward.
Phrases
born on the wrong side of the ~ dated illegitimate.
Derivatives
~ing noun
Origin
ME: via Old North. Fr. from OFr. blanc 'white', ult. of Gmc origin.