ˈblack-wash, n.
Also black wash.
1. Med. A lotion composed of calomel and lime-water; grey lotion.
| 1818 A. Cooper Surg. Ess. I. (ed. 3) 166 Under the black-wash poultice. 1854 J. Scoffern in Orr's Circ. Sc. Chem. 495 The lotion known in medical and surgical practice, as the black wash. |
2. Any black composition used for washing over and blackening. (Also blackwash.)
| 1861 Times 12 July, The blackwash was removed from the paintings; bad taste and want of means caused the white-wash to be left. [See next.] |
3. The opposite of whitewash n. 3. Also ˈblackˌwashing vbl. n.
| 1859 Kingsley Misc. II. 48 To remove..the modern layers of ‘black-wash’, and to let the man himself, fair or foul, be seen. 1877 Chambers's Jrnl. 28 Apr. 258/2 A skilful counsel..using as much whitewash as he can for the accused, and applying plentiful blackwash to the witnesses for the prosecution. 1890 Literary World XLI. 388/1 By giving Cromwell another plentiful coating of black-wash. 1905 Contemp. Rev. Oct. 552 (title) The Blackwashing of Dante. |