blot
blot Lexical Profile
blot Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A dark mark, spot, or stain, especially one made by ink on paper or fabric.
"A leaky fountain pen left a large blue blot on the corner of the manuscript."
A shameful defect, disgrace, or ugly feature that spoils an otherwise good reputation, record, or landscape.
"The neglected concrete factory remained an unsightly blot on the coastal landscape."
In biochemistry and molecular biology, a laboratory membrane or technique used to transfer and detect proteins, DNA, or RNA following gel electrophoresis.
"The researcher examined the western blot to confirm the presence of the target antibody."
• verb
To dry or soak up liquid from a wet surface by pressing it gently with an absorbent cloth, paper, or sponge.
"You should gently blot the spilled coffee with a clean towel rather than rubbing it into the carpet."
To mark, stain, or soil something with spots of ink, dirt, or liquid.
"Drops of rain began to blot the freshly written ink on the envelope."
• Rhymes for blot
Word Origin & Etymology
First recorded in Middle English in the 14th century, the word likely derives from a Scandinavian source related to Old Norse 'blettr' (meaning 'spot' or 'stain') and influenced by Old French 'bloste' (meaning 'clod' or 'lump').