whitener
(ˈhwaɪt(ə)nə(r))
[f. whiten v. + -er1.]
1. One who whitens, in any sense; spec. a person employed in bleaching or other whitening process.
| 1611 Cotgr., Blanchisseur,..a whitener of clothes. 1637 Crompton's Jurisd. 179 No tawer or whitener of skins shall remain in the forests. c 1700 Kennett MS. Lansd. 1033 Bleacher, a whitener or whitester of linnen. 1748 Richardson Clarissa (1768) VII. lxxxiv. 291 A partial whitener of his own cause, or blackener of another's. 1881 Instr. Census Clerks (1885) 45 Pin Maker..Whitener. 1895 Daily News 15 Nov. 7/1 Walter Wells, a silver-plater, in the employment of Messrs. Elkington,..Frank Naylor, whitener and repairer, employed by Messrs. Elkington. |
2. A thing that whitens; spec. a substance or agent used for whitening, bleaching, etc.
| 1686 Goad Celest. Bodies i. ii. 6 Wind is a Dryer,..Frost a Cooler, Dryer, a Whitener. 1971 D. Potter Brit. Eliz. Stamps ii. 22 Optical whitener is used in the making of the paper. |