n.
- a coloured substance which is spread over a surface and dries to leave a thin decorative or protective coating.
▸an act of painting.
- informal cosmetic make-up.
- N. Amer. a piebald horse.
- Basketball a rectangular area marked near the basket at each end of a court.
v.
- apply paint to.
▸apply (a liquid) to a surface with a brush.
▸
(paint something out)
efface something with paint.
- depict or produce with paint.
▸give a description of (something).
- display a mark representing (an aircraft or vehicle) on a radar screen.
Phrase
- be like watching paint dry
be extremely boring. - paint oneself into a corner
leave oneself no means of escape or room to manoeuvre. - paint the town red
go out and enjoy oneself in a lively way.
Derivative
- paintable adj.
- painty adj.
Etymology
ME: from peint ‘painted’, past part. of OFr. peindre, from L. pingere ‘to paint’.