adj.
- of the very darkest colour due to the absence of or complete absorption of light.
▸(of coffee or tea) served without milk.
- relating to or denoting a human group having dark-coloured skin, especially of African or Australian Aboriginal ancestry.
- characterized by tragedy, disaster, or despair.
▸(of humour) presenting tragic or harrowing situations in comic terms.
▸full of anger or hatred.
- Brit. dated (of goods or work) not to be handled or undertaken by trade union members, as an expression of solidarity with an industrial dispute elsewhere.
- (of a ski run) of the highest level of difficulty.
- of or denoting the suits spades and clubs in a pack of cards.
n.
- black colour or pigment.
▸black clothes or material, worn as a sign of mourning.
▸
(Black)
the player of the black pieces in chess or draughts.
- a member of a dark-skinned people, especially one of African or Australian Aboriginal ancestry.
- Brit. informal blackcurrant cordial.
v.
- make black, especially by the application of black polish or make-up.
-
(black something out)
make a room or building dark by extinguishing lights, covering windows, etc.
▸obscure something completely.
▸(of a television company) decide not to broadcast a controversial programme.
-
(black out)
undergo a sudden and temporary loss of consciousness.
- Brit. dated refuse to deal with (goods or people) or undertake (work), as a form of industrial action.
Phrase
- black someone's eye
hit someone in the eye so as to cause bruising. - in the black
not owing any money. - in someone's black books
informal in disfavour with someone. - look on the black side
informal take a pessimistic view of a situation.
Derivative
- blackish adj.
- blackly adv.
- blackness n.
Usage
Black has been used to refer to African peoples and their descendants since the 14th century, and it is the most widely used and generally accepted term in Britain today. In the US the currently preferred term is African American.
Etymology
OE blæc, of Gmc origin.
