n. & v.
--n.
1. a spot or stain of ink etc.
2 a moral defect in an otherwise good character; a disgraceful act or quality.
3 any disfigurement or blemish.
--v. (blotted, blotting)
1. a tr. spot or stain with ink; smudge. b intr. (of a pen, ink, etc.) make blots.
2 tr. a use blotting-paper or other absorbent material to absorb excess ink. b (of blotting-paper etc.) soak up (esp. ink).
3 tr. disgrace (blotted his reputation).
Phrases and idioms:
blot one's copybook damage one's reputation. blot on the escutcheon a disgrace to the family name. blot out
1. a obliterate (writing). b obscure (a view, sound, etc.).
2 obliterate (from the memory) as too painful.
3 destroy. blotting-paper unglazed absorbent paper used for soaking up excess ink.
Etymology: ME prob. f. Scand.: cf. Icel. blettr spot, stain