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blackout - 6 dictionary results
black⋅out
[blak-out]
–noun
| 1. | the extinguishing or concealment of all visible lights in a city, military post, etc., usually as a precaution against air raids. |
| 2. | a period during a massive power failure when the lack of electricity for illumination results in utter darkness except from emergency sources, as candles. |
| 3. | Theater.
|
| 4. | Pathology.
|
| 5. | a brief, passing lapse of memory: An actor may have an occasional blackout and forget a line or two. |
| 6. | complete stoppage of a communications medium, as by a strike, catastrophe, electrical storm, etc.: a newspaper blackout; a radio blackout. |
| 7. | a stoppage, suppression, or obliteration: a news blackout. |
| 8. | a period during which a special sales offer, fare rate, or other bargain is not available: The airline's discount on fares does not apply during the Christmas week blackout. |
| 9. | Radio and Television. a prohibition that is imposed on the broadcasting of an event and has the purpose of encouraging or ensuring ticket sales. |
Origin:
1910–15; n. use of v. phrase black out
1910–15; n. use of v. phrase black out

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To blackout
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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blackout
The complete loss of electrical power in a particular area. Blackouts can result from a natural disaster, a manmade catastrophe, or simply from an excess of energy demand over supply. (Compare brownout.)
Note: Rolling blackouts to match supply and demand have become increasingly common in the United States.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Language Translation for : blackout
Spanish:
apagón,
German:
die Verdunkelung,
Japanese:
停電
blackout
1913 in the theatrical sense of a darkened stage, from black + out. Fig. sense of "loss of memory" is 1934; as a dousing of lights as an air raid precaution, it is recorded from 1935.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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blackout black·out (blāk'out')
n.
- Temporary loss of consciousness due to decreased blood flow to the brain.
- Temporary loss of memory.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2009, Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.

