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black


1black

adj \ˈblak\

Definition of BLACK

1
a : of the color black b (1) : very dark in color <his face was black with rage> (2) : having a very deep or low register <a bass with a black voice> (3) : heavy, serious <the play was a black intrigue>
2
a : having dark skin, hair, and eyes : swarthy <the black Irish> b (1) often capitalized : of or relating to any of various population groups having dark pigmentation of the skin <black Americans> (2) : of or relating to the African-American people or their culture <black literature> <a black college> <black pride> <black studies> (3) : typical or representative of the most readily perceived characteristics of black culture <trying to sound black> <tried to play blacker jazz>
3
: dressed in black
4
: dirty, soiled <hands black with grime>
5
a : characterized by the absence of light <a black night> b : reflecting or transmitting little or no light <black water> c : served without milk or cream <black coffee>
6
a : thoroughly sinister or evil : wicked <a black deed> b : indicative of condemnation or discredit <got a black mark for being late>
7
: connected with or invoking the supernatural and especially the devil <black magic>
8
a : very sad, gloomy, or calamitous <black despair> b : marked by the occurrence of disaster <black Friday>
9
: characterized by hostility or angry discontent : sullen <black resentment filled his heart>
10
chiefly British : subject to boycott by trade-union members as employing or favoring nonunion workers or as operating under conditions considered unfair by the trade union
11
a of propaganda : conducted so as to appear to originate within an enemy country and designed to weaken enemy morale b : characterized by or connected with the use of black propaganda <black radio>
12
: characterized by grim, distorted, or grotesque satire <black humor>
13
: of or relating to covert intelligence operations <black government programs>
black·ish \ˈbla-kish\ adjective
black·ly adverb
black·ness noun

Examples of BLACK

  1. His hand were black with grime.
  2. <a little black dress blends into the night very well>

Origin of BLACK

Middle English blak, from Old English blæc; akin to Old High German blah black, and probably to Latin flagrare to burn, Greek phlegein
First Known Use: before 12th century

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