blot
blot /bl'ɒt/ (blots blotting blotted)
1 [N-COUNT] N on n
If something is a blot on a person's or thing's reputation, it spoils their reputation.
...a blot on the reputation of the architectural profession...
This drugs scandal is another blot on the Olympics.
2 [N-COUNT]
A blot is a drop of liquid that has fallen on to a surface and has dried.
...an ink blot.
3 [VERB] V n, also V n adj
If you blot a surface, you remove liquid from it by pressing a piece of soft paper or cloth onto it.
Before applying make-up, blot the face with a tissue to remove any excess oils..
4 [PHRASE] blot inflects
If you describe something such as a building as a blot on the landscape, you mean that you think it is very ugly and spoils an otherwise attractive place.
The developers insist the £80m village will not leave a blot on the landscape.blot out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If one thing blots out another thing, it is in front of the other thing and prevents it from being seen.
About the time the three climbers were halfway down, clouds blotted out the sun.
...with mist blotting everything out except the endless black of the spruce on either side.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P, V n P of n
If you try to blot out a memory, you try to forget it. If one thought or memory blots out other thoughts or memories, it becomes the only one that you can think about.
Are you saying that she's trying to blot out all memory of the incident?...
The boy has gaps in his mind about it. He is blotting certain things out...
She has suffered an extremely unhappy childhood, but simply blotted it out of her memory.
= block out
1 [N-COUNT] N on n
If something is a blot on a person's or thing's reputation, it spoils their reputation.
...a blot on the reputation of the architectural profession...
This drugs scandal is another blot on the Olympics.
2 [N-COUNT]
A blot is a drop of liquid that has fallen on to a surface and has dried.
...an ink blot.
3 [VERB] V n, also V n adj
If you blot a surface, you remove liquid from it by pressing a piece of soft paper or cloth onto it.
Before applying make-up, blot the face with a tissue to remove any excess oils..
4 [PHRASE] blot inflects
If you describe something such as a building as a blot on the landscape, you mean that you think it is very ugly and spoils an otherwise attractive place.
The developers insist the £80m village will not leave a blot on the landscape.blot out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If one thing blots out another thing, it is in front of the other thing and prevents it from being seen.
About the time the three climbers were halfway down, clouds blotted out the sun.
...with mist blotting everything out except the endless black of the spruce on either side.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P, V n P of n
If you try to blot out a memory, you try to forget it. If one thought or memory blots out other thoughts or memories, it becomes the only one that you can think about.
Are you saying that she's trying to blot out all memory of the incident?...
The boy has gaps in his mind about it. He is blotting certain things out...
She has suffered an extremely unhappy childhood, but simply blotted it out of her memory.
= block out