n.
Pronunciation: ' hw ī t, ' w ī t
Function: adjective
Inflected Form: whit · er ; whit · est
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hw ī t; akin to Old High German hw ī z white and probably to Old Church Slavic sv ě t ŭ light, Sanskrit ś veta white, bright
Date: before 12th century
1 a : free from color b : of the color of new snow or milk specifically : of the color white c : light or pallid in color < white hair> <lips white with fear> d : lustrous pale gray : SILVERY also : made of silver
2 a : being a member of a group or race characterized by light pigmentation of the skin b : of, relating to, characteristic of, or consisting of white people or their culture c [from the former stereotypical association of good character with northern European descent] : marked by upright fairness <that's mighty white of you>
3 : free from spot or blemish: as a (1) : free from moral impurity : INNOCENT (2) : marked by the wearing of white by the woman as a symbol of purity <a white wedding> b : unmarked by writing or printing c : not intended to cause harm <a white lie> < white magic> d : FAVORABLE , FORTUNATE <one of the white days of his life ― Sir Walter Scott>
4 a : wearing or habited in white b : marked by the presence of snow : SNOWY <a white Christmas>
5 a : heated to the point of whiteness b : notably ardent : PASSIONATE < white fury>
6 a : conservative or reactionary in political outlook and action b : instigated or carried out by reactionary forces as a counterrevolutionary measure <a white terror>
7 : of, relating to, or constituting a musical tone quality characterized by a controlled pure sound, a lack of warmth and color, and a lack of resonance
8 : consisting of a wide range of frequencies ― used of light, sound, and electromagnetic radiation
– whit · ish \ ' hw ī -tish, ' w ī - \ adjective