▪ I. blancher1
(ˈblɑːnʃə(r), -æ-)
Also 6 blauncher, branchar, 7 -er.
[f. blanch v.1 + -er.]
1. He who or that which blanches or makes white.
| 1852 D. Moir Miner Peru Wks. II. 171 The tottering step, Proclaimed Time's ravages, blancher of the hair. |
2. spec. One who blanches metals or money (see blanch v.1 1 b. and c.).
| 1578 Ord. R. Househ., 2 Eliz. 256 The Mynte..Branchars 2; fee apeece 13l. 6s. 8d. 1647 Haward Crown Rev. 23 Two Blanchers [in the Mint]. 1728 Rutty in Phil. Trans. XXXV. 635 Kept..a Secret by the Blancher. 1766 Entick London IV. 342 Melters, blanchers, moniers. |
b. A chemical agent used for blanching.
| 1477 Norton Ord. Alch. iii. in Ashmole (1652) 39 In Malgams, in Blanchers and Citrinacions. 1594 Plat Jewell-ho. i. 20 The Alcumists giue a blauncher vnto Venus with the salt of Tartar. 1667 Boyle Orig. Formes & Qual., To make Blanchers for Copper. |
▪ II. ˈblancher2
Forms: 6 blawnsher, blawnsherr, blawnshere, blaunsher, 6– blancher.
[f. blanch v.2 + -er.]
† 1. One who causes to turn aside; a perverter; an obstructor, hinderer. Obs.
| 1549 Latimer Ploughers (Arb.) 33 Not for the continuaunce of the Masse as the blaunchers have blaunched it and wrested it. Ibid. 36 Certeyne blanchers longyng to the markette, to lette and stoppe the lyght of the Gospel. |
† 2. Venery. A person or thing placed to turn the deer from a particular direction. Obs.
| 1535 R. Layton in Ellis Orig. Lett, Ser. ii. II. 61 Getheryng up part of the said bowke leiffs..to make him sewells or blawnsherrs to kepe the deere within the woode. 1580 Sidney Arcadia 64 Zelmane was like one that stood in a tree waiting a good occasion to shoot, and Gynecia a blancher, which kept the dearest deere from her. 1602 Warner Alb. Eng. ix. li. (1612) 230. |
3. One who starts or balks at (any thing).
| a 1659 Osborn Q. Eliz. Wks. (1673) 465 So as the wall-eyed blanchers at them [ceremonies] were followed more out of reproach than approbation. |