/ ˈblæŋkɪt; NAmE / noun , adjective , verb
■ noun
1.
a large cover, often made of wool, used especially on beds to keep people warm
—picture at double
—see also electric blanket
2.
[ usually sing. ] blanket of sth a thick layer or covering of sth :
a blanket of fog / snow / cloud
( figurative )
The trial was conducted under a blanket of secrecy.
—see also wet blanket
■ adjective
[ only before noun ] including or affecting all possible cases, situations or people :
a blanket ban on tobacco advertising
a blanket refusal
■ verb
[ vn ] [ often passive ] ( formal ) to cover sth completely with a thick layer :
Snow soon blanketed the frozen ground.
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (denoting undyed woollen cloth): via Old Northern French from Old French blanc white, ultimately of Germanic origin.