First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1blot
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 (as a complementary nucleic acid or a radio labeled antibody) — compare southern blot, western blot
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of BLOT
Middle English
2blot
verb
: to dry (something, such as wet ink) by pressing a piece of cloth or paper over it
blot·tedblot·ting
Full Definition of BLOT
transitive verb
1
: to spot, stain, or spatter with a discoloring substance
2
obsolete : mar; especially : to stain with infamy
3
a : to dry (as writing) with an absorbing agent 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
First Known Use of BLOT
15th century
3blot
noun
Definition of BLOT
1
: a lone backgammon man exposed to capture
2
archaic : a weak or exposed point
Origin of BLOT
perhaps from Dutch bloot naked, exposed, from Middle Dutch; akin to Middle High German bloz bare
First Known Use: 1595
BLOTTING Defined for Kids
1blot
noun \ˈblät\
Definition of BLOT for Kids
1
: a spot or stain of dirt or ink
2
: a mark of shame or dishonor <The lie was a blot on my record.>
2blot
verb
blot·tedblot·ting
Definition of BLOT for Kids
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
—blot transitive verb
Learn More About BLOT
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: blotch (verb)Previous Word in the Dictionary: blossomryAll Words Near: blot
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up blot? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).