blot

noun (1)

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\ ˈblät

Definition of blot

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a soiling or disfiguring mark : spot

2 : a mark of reproach : moral flaw

3 : a usually nitrocellulose or nylon sheet that contains spots of immobilized macromolecules (as of DNA, RNA, or protein) or their fragments and is used to identify specific components of the spots by applying a molecular probe (such as a complementary nucleic acid or a radiolabeled antibody) — compare southern blot, western blot

blot

verb

blotted; blotting

Definition of blot (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to spot, stain, or spatter with a discoloring substance

2 obsolete : mar especially : to stain with infamy

3a : to dry (something, such as writing) with an absorbing agent hastily blotted her letter

b : to remove with absorbing material blotting up spilled water

intransitive verb

1 : to make a blot

2 : to become marked with a blot

blot

noun (2)

Definition of blot (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : a lone backgammon man exposed to capture

2 archaic : a weak or exposed point

Synonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing blot Learn More About blot

Examples of blot in a Sentence

Verb Don't rub the wine stain. Blot it dry with a paper towel. Blot your lipstick with a tissue.

First Known Use of blot

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1595, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for blot

Noun (1)

Middle English

Noun (2)

perhaps from Dutch bloot naked, exposed, from Middle Dutch; akin to Middle High German bloz bare

Learn More About blot

Dictionary Entries Near blot

blossomry

blot

blotch

Statistics for blot

Cite this Entry

“Blot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blot. Accessed 17 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for blot

blot

noun

\ ˈblät

Kids Definition of blot

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a spot or stain of dirt or ink

2 : a mark of shame or dishonor The lie was a blot on my record.

blot

verb

blotted; blotting

Kids Definition of blot (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : spot entry 2 sense 1

2 : to dry by pressing with paper or cloth

blot out

1 : to make (something) difficult to see Clouds blotted out the sun.

2 : to destroy completely No apology could blot out what I had said …— Robert Louis Stevenson, Kidnapped

blot

noun

\ ˈblät

Medical Definition of blot

: a nitrocellulose sheet that contains spots of immobilized macromolecules (as of DNA, RNA, or protein) or their fragments and that is used to identify specific components of the spots by applying a suitable molecular probe (as a complementary nucleic acid or a radiolabeled antibody) — see northern blot, southern blot, western blot