blot

noun \ ˈblät \

Definition of blot

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

Origin and Etymology of blot

Middle English

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First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

blot

verb

Definition of blot

blotted; blotting

transitive verb

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

2 obsolete : mar; especially : to stain with infamy

3 a : 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

See blot defined for English-language learners

Examples of blot in a Sentence

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

First Known Use of blot

15th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

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blot

noun

Definition of blot

1 : a lone backgammon man exposed to capture

2 archaic : a weak or exposed point

Origin and Etymology of blot

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1595

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

BLOT Defined for English Language Learners

blot

verb

Definition of blot for English Language Learners

: to dry (something, such as wet ink) by pressing a piece of cloth or paper over it

BLOT Defined for Kids

blot

noun \ ˈblät \

Definition of blot for Students

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

Definition of blot for Students

blotted; blotting

1 : ²spot 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

Medical Dictionary

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

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