blank

adjective

• 1(of a surface or background) unrelieved by decorative or other features; bare, empty, or plain:the blank skyline a blank wall
• not written or printed on:a blank sheet of paper
• (of a document) with spaces left for a signature or details:blank tax-return forms
• (of a tape) with nothing recorded on it:blank cassettes

• 2showing incomprehension or no reaction:we were met by blank looks
• having temporarily no knowledge or understanding:her mind went blank
• lacking incident or result:those blank moments aboard airplanes

• 3 [attributive] complete; absolute (used emphatically with negative force):he was met with a blank refusal to discuss the issue

noun

• 1a space left to be filled in a document:leave blanks to type in the appropriate names this measure required subjects to fill in the blanks in a story
• a document with blank spaces to be filled.

• 2 (also blank cartridge) a cartridge containing gunpowder but no bullet, used for training or as a signal.

• 3an empty space or period of time, especially in terms of a lack of knowledge or understanding:my mind was a total blank

• 4an object that has no mark or design on it, in particular.
• a roughly cut metal or wooden block intended for further shaping or finishing.
• a domino with one or both halves blank.
• a plain metal disk from which a coin is made by stamping a design on it.

• 5a dash written instead of a word or letter, especially instead of an obscenity or profanity.
• used euphemistically in place of a noun regarded as obscene, profane, or abusive.

verb

• 1cover up, obscure, or cause to appear blank or empty:electronic countermeasures blanked out the radar signals
• [no object] become blank or empty:the picture blanked out
• cut (a metal blank):the complete core disk can be blanked out in one piece

• 2 informal defeat (a sports opponent) without allowing the opposition to score:Baltimore blanked Toronto in a 7-0 victory