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whitewash - 6 dictionary results

white⋅wash

[hwahyt-wosh, -wawsh, wahyt-]
–noun
1. a composition, as of lime and water or of whiting, size, and water, used for whitening walls, woodwork, etc.
2. anything, as deceptive words or actions, used to cover up or gloss over faults, errors, or wrongdoings, or absolve a wrongdoer from blame.
3. Sports Informal. a defeat in which the loser fails to score.
–verb (used with object)
4. to whiten with whitewash.
5. to cover up or gloss over the faults or errors of; absolve from blame.
6. Sports Informal. to defeat by keeping the opponent from scoring: The home team whitewashed the visitors eight to nothing.

Origin:
1585–95; white + wash


whitewasher, noun


5. excuse, vindicate, exonerate.
white·wash   (hwīt'wŏsh', -wôsh', wīt'-)   
n.  
  1. A mixture of lime and water, often with whiting, size, or glue added, that is used to whiten walls, fences, or other structures.
  2. Concealment or palliation of flaws or failures.
  3. A defeat in a game in which the loser scores no points.
tr.v.   white·washed, white·wash·ing, white·wash·es
  1. To paint or coat with or as if with whitewash.
  2. To conceal or gloss over (wrongdoing, for example). See Synonyms at palliate.
white'wash'er n.

Whitewash

White"wash`\, v. t. In various games, to defeat (an opponent) so that he fails to score, or to reach a certain point in the game; to skunk. [Colloq., U. S.]

Whitewash

White"wash`\, n. 1. Any wash or liquid composition for whitening something, as a wash for making the skin fair. --Addison.

2. A composition of line and water, or of whiting size, and water, or the like, used for whitening walls, ceilings, etc.; milk of lime.

Whitewash

White"wash`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whitewashed; p. pr. & vb. n. Whitewashing.]

1. To apply a white liquid composition to; to whiten with whitewash.

2. To make white; to give a fair external appearance to; to clear from imputations or disgrace; hence, to clear (a bankrupt) from obligation to pay debts.
Language Translation for : whitewash
Spanish: cal,
German: die Tünche,
Japanese: 水しつくい

whitewash  (v.)
1591, "to wash a building surface with white liquid," from white + wash. Fig. sense of "to cover up, conceal" is attested from 1762. The noun is recorded from 1697.
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