I. ˈblaŋk adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French blanc colorless, white, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German blanch white; probably akin to Latin flagrare to burn — more at black
Date: 14th century
1. archaic : colorless
2.
a. : appearing or causing to appear dazed, confounded, or nonplussed
stared in blank dismay
b. : expressionless
a blank stare
3.
a. : devoid of covering or content ; especially : free from writing or marks
blank paper
b. : having spaces to be filled in
c. : lacking interest, variety, or change
blank hours
4. : absolute , unqualified
a blank refusal
5. : unfinished ; especially : having a plain or unbroken surface where an opening is usual
a blank key
a blank arch
Synonyms: see empty
• blank·ly adverb
• blank·ness noun
II. noun
Date: 1554
1. obsolete : the bull's-eye of a target
2.
a. : an empty space (as on a paper)
b. : a paper with spaces for the entry of data
an order blank
3.
a. : a piece of material prepared to be made into something (as a key) by a further operation
b. : a cartridge loaded with propellant and a seal but no projectile
4.
a. : an empty or featureless place or space
my mind was a blank
b. : a vacant or uneventful period
a long blank in history
5. : a dash substituting for an omitted word
III. verb
Date: circa 1765
transitive verb
1.
a. : obscure , obliterate
blank out a line
b. : to stop access to : seal
blank off a tunnel
2. : to keep (an opponent) from scoring
were blank ed for eight innings
intransitive verb
1. : fade — usually used with out
the music blank ed out
2. : to become confused or abstracted — often used with out
his mind blank ed out momentarily