blanket
blanket Lexical Profile
blanket Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A large piece of woven fabric used as a covering on a bed or to keep someone warm.
"She wrapped a heavy woolen blanket around her shoulders as the temperature dropped."
A thick, continuous layer that covers a surface completely.
"A thick blanket of fog rolled over the bay, severely reducing visibility for incoming ships."
• adjective
Applying to all conditions, instances, or members of a group uniformly, without exception.
"The administration issued a blanket apology for the widespread service disruptions."
• verb
To cover something completely with a thick layer.
"The heavy winter storm is expected to blanket the entire region in several inches of snow."
Word Nuance & Usage
When used as an adjective, 'blanket' is almost exclusively attributive (placed before the noun, as in 'a blanket rule') and sounds unnatural as a predicate adjective ('the rule was blanket').
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old French 'blanquette' (white cloth), a diminutive of 'blanc' (white). It entered Middle English in the 14th century, initially referring to undyed woollen fabric.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.