I. ˈblanch, -aa(ə)n-, -ain-, -ȧn- adjective
Etymology: Middle English blaunche, blanche, from Middle French blanche, feminine of blanc white — more at blank
1. English law : of or relating to a white rent
2. or blench -len- Scots law : of or relating to a nominal duty paid as a quitrent or the tenure held by payment of such rent
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle English blaunchen, from Middle French blanchir, from Old French, from blanche
transitive verb
1. : to take the color out of and make white : bleach
blanching linen on the grass
age has blanched his hair
a. : to bleach by excluding light ; especially : to bleach (the leaves or stalks of plants) by earthing, boarding, or wrapping
b. : to scald or parboil (foods) in boiling water or steam in order to remove the skin from (as almonds), whiten (as kidney), or stop enzymatic action in (as fruits or vegetables for canning or freezing)
c. : to clean (a coin blank) in an acid solution
d. : to cover (sheet iron or steel) with a coating of tin
2. : to make ashen or pale
fear blanches the cheek and stills the heart
3. : to give a favorable appearance to : whitewash , gloss — often used with over
intransitive verb
: to become pale : whiten : grow pallid or ashen
his face blanched with horror
some red roses blanch in the direct sun
III. verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: alteration of blench (I)
transitive verb
: to cause to turn aside or back : head 5b
crashed through the brush and blanched a deer
intransitive verb
: to flinch or shrink back