blind

¹blind

adjective \ˈblīnd\

Definition of BLIND

1

a (1) : sightless (2) : having less than ¹⁄₁₀ of normal vision in the more efficient eye when refractive defects are fully corrected by lenses

b : of or relating to sightless persons

2

a : unable or unwilling to discern or judge <blind to a lover's faults>

b : unquestioning <blind loyalty>

3

a : having no regard to rational discrimination, guidance, or restriction <blind choice>

b : lacking a directing or controlling consciousness <blind chance>

c : drunk 1a

4

a : made or done without sight of certain objects or knowledge of certain facts that could serve for guidance or cause bias <a blind taste test> — compare double-blind, single-blind

b : having no knowledge of information that may cause bias during the course of an experiment or test <physicians blind to whether the test drug is administered>

5

: defective: as

a : lacking a growing point or producing leaves instead of flowers

b : lacking a complete or legible address <blind mail>

6

a : difficult to discern, make out, or discover

b : hidden from sight : covered <blind seam>

7

: having but one opening or outlet <blind sockets>

8

: having no opening for light or passage : blank <blind wall>

— blind·ly \ˈblīn(d)-lē\ adverb

— blind·ness \ˈblīn(d)-nəs\ noun

Examples of BLIND

1. <our old blind cat kept walking into walls and furniture>
2. <you'd have to be really blind to think that was a good idea>

Origin of BLIND

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German blint blind, Old English blandan to mix — more at blend

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to BLIND

Synonyms

eyeless, sightless, stone-blind, visionless

Antonyms

sighted

Related Words

blinded, blindfold, blindfolded, unsighted; gravel-blind, purblind

Near Antonyms

observant, observing, seeing; clear-eyed, clear-sighted; gimlet-eyed, lynx-eyed, sharp-eyed, sharp-sighted

Rhymes with BLIND

bind, find, grind, hind, kind, mind, rind, signed, spined, tined, wind, wynd

²blind

transitive verb

Definition of BLIND

1

a : to make blind

b : dazzle

2

a : to withhold light from

b : hide, conceal

— blind·ing·ly \ˈblīn-diŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of BLIND

1. She was blinded as a child in a terrible fire.
2. I was blinded by the sun as I came around the corner.
3. He was blinded by love.

First Known Use of BLIND

before 12th century

Related to BLIND

Synonyms

bedazzle, dazzle, daze

Related Words

confuse, overpower, overwhelm, stun

³blind

noun

Definition of BLIND

1

: something to hinder sight or keep out light: as

a : a window shutter

b : a roller window shade

c : venetian blind

d : blinder

2

: a place of concealment; especially : a concealing enclosure from which one may shoot game or observe wildlife

3

a : something put forward for the purpose of misleading : subterfuge

b : a person who acts as a decoy or distraction

Examples of BLIND

1. Some say the investigation is a blind to keep the public's attention off the governor.

First Known Use of BLIND

1678

⁴blind

adverb

Definition of BLIND

1

: blindly: as

a : to the point of insensibility <blind drunk>

b : without seeing outside an airplane <fly blind>

c : without knowledge of certain facts that could serve for guidance or cause bias <tasted the wine blind>

2

—used as an intensive <was robbed blind>

Examples of BLIND

1. They had to fly blind through heavy smoke.

First Known Use of BLIND

circa 1775

Other Aeronautics/Aerospace Terms

airway, apron, corridor, dirigible, fishtail, flat-hat, vector