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Revised 2011 More entries for "black"

blackadjective & noun

Quotations

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Earlier version

In other dictionaries

  1. adjective
    1. I.
      literal.
        1. I.1.a.
          Old English–
          Of the darkest colour possible, that of soot, coal, the sky on a moonless night in open country, or a small hole in a hollow object; designating this colour; (also) so near this as to have no recognizable colour, very dark.
          From a scientific perspective, the quality of being black is due to the absence or absorption of all the wavelengths of light occurring in the visible spectrum. In general use, however, it is normally classed as a colour (cf. colour n.1 I.1a).
          The colour tends to be associated with evil and melancholy (cf. branch A.II), and in Western society is the traditional colour of mourning (cf. mourning black n.).
          1. eOE
            He..hæfde blæc feax [Latin nigro capillo] & blacne ondwlitan.
            translation of Bede, Ecclesiastical History (Tanner MS.) ii. xiii. 144
          2. OE
            Hrefn blaca heofones wynne bliðheort bodode.
            Beowulf (2008) 1801
          3. OE
            Niger coruus blac hrem.
            Ælfric, Grammar (St. John's Oxford MS.) 12
          4. c1275 (?a1200)
            Ane blake claðe.
            Laȝamon, Brut (Caligula MS.) (1978) l. 8832
          5. c1380
            Þan lai he þar so blac so pych.
            Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 2461 (Middle English Dictionary)
          6. c1400 (?a1300)
            Þe selue men of þe londe Weren blake so colowȝy bronde.
            Kyng Alisaunder (Laud MS.) (1952) l. 6111 (Middle English Dictionary)
          7. a1450
            In helle to dwelle with feendes blake.
            York Plays (1885) 501
          8. ?1480
            I pray you bie me on, but I had leuest haue chammelet, so it be blak, tawne or violet, but non other coler.
            E. Bedyngfeld, Letter 24 September in Cely Letters (1975) 90
          9. 1542
            Thre elnis blak sating.
            in J. B. Paul, Accounts of Treasurer of Scotland (1908) vol. VIII. 74
          10. 1551
            The wood hath a black color and is myche desyred of men for to make pypes.
            W. Turner, New Herball sig. H vjv
          11. 1598
            To looke like her are Chimnie-sweepers blake.
            W. Shakespeare, Love's Labour's Lost iv. iii. 264
          12. 1611
            Thou canst not make one haire white or blacke.
            Bible (King James) Matthew v. 36
          13. 1646
            From Small-coal ensueth the black colour and quick accension.
            Sir T. Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica 88
          14. 1670
            A Bed of State of Black Velvet..with Black Plumes at the Four corners of the Tester.
            F. Sandford, Order Funeral Duke of Albemarle sig. A/2
          15. 1770
            The Soil..being as black as Coal.
            G. Washington, Journal 15 October (1925) vol. I. 409
          16. 1785
            Its back part is black, to stifle the rays that are reflected upon it.
            J. Imison, School of Arts (1790) vol. I. 194
          17. 1807
            They put on mourning garments, which were always black.
            J. Robinson, Archæologia Græca v. v. 425
          18. 1842
            That hair More black than ashbuds in the front of March.
            Lord Tennyson, Gardener's Daughter in Poems (new edition) vol. II. 20
          19. 1866
            In order to make the letters more visible they painted the stone of a black colour.
            Gentleman's Magazine March 370/2
          20. a1933
            Printer's ink has no vegetable basis, though its black colour is due to the element carbon.
            J. A. Thomson, Biology for Everyman (1934) vol. II. 1449
          21. 1968
            The vicar..had never thought it part of his duty to dress in a black suit and dog-collar all the time.
            J. Turner, Requiem for Two Sisters i. 5
          22. 2001
            The third passenger..was a thin woman in a witchy black dress.
            N. Weinstock, As long as she needs Me 32
        2. I.1.b.
          Old English–
          Of a very dark colour (esp. a shade of red, brown, or purple) closely approaching black.
          Recorded earliest in blackberry n.
          1. OE
            Flaui uel mori, blace berian.
            Antwerp Glossary (1955) 129
          2. c1225 (?c1200)
            Hare ahne blake blod to spitten ant te speowen.
            St. Juliana (Royal MS.) l. 364 (Middle English Dictionary)
          3. a1398
            Drastes of blak wyne.
            J. Trevisa, translation of Bartholomaeus Anglicus, De Proprietatibus Rerum (British Library Add. MS. 27944) (1975) vol. II. xix. xxxiii. 1295
          4. a1475
            Take black sugur for mener menne.
            Liber Cocorum (Sloane MS.) (1862) 7 (Middle English Dictionary)
          5. 1582
            Other Beasts haue blacker bloud & thicker then mans bloud, and namelye Bulls and Asses.
            S. Batman, Vppon Bartholome, De Proprietatibus Rerum iv. vii. f. 30/2
          6. 1671
            All black wines, or deep Red are of thicker substance, and for the most part sweet, and nourish very much.
            J. Archer, Every Man his own Doctor i. xii. 88
          7. 1715
            The Priest himself..Pours the black Wine.
            A. Pope, translation of Homer, Iliad vol. I. i. 608
          8. 1853
            On every road-side was what was familiarly termed ‘the black ditch’. In every alley was a lesser black ditch.
            C. Knight, Once upon a Time (1859) 417
          9. 1859
            The blackest of port-wine.
            J. M. Jephson & L. Reeve, Narrative of Walking Tour in Brittany i. 3
          10. 1932
            She..saw father lying still in his blood, black blood it looked on his face where he'd fallen and mischieved himself against a stone.
            ‘L. G. Gibbon’, Sunset Song ii. 125
          11. 2000
            The soil in the vineyards on the terraced cliffs is brick red, and the vines produce a grape which is made into a thick, black glutinous wine.
            H. Stevenson, Instr. for Visitors (2002) 155
        3. I.1.c.
          c1275–
          With the names of various objects prefixed, by way of comparison.
          coal-, jet-, pitch-, raven-black: see the first element.
          1. [OE
            Oðre hwile he bið blæc & æhiwe; hwilum he bið collsweart.
            Vercelli Homilies (1992) iv. 102]
          2. c1275 (?c1250)
            Þin eȝene boþ colblake & brode.
            Owl & Nightingale (Caligula MS.) (1935) l. 75 (Middle English Dictionary)
          3. a1477
            Youre nayles loke they be not geet blake.
            Book of Curtesye (Oriel MS. 79(2)) (1882) l. 44
          4. 1598
            Tuscus..Hath drawne false lights from pitch-black loueries.
            J. Marston, Scourge of Villanie ii. v. sig. E4v
          5. 1648
            Like a soot-black Chimney-sweepers fist sheathed in a pure-white Glove.
            N. Ward, Mercurius Anti-mechanicus 36
          6. 1664
            In the sloe-black eye of the Dragon-fly or Adderbolt.
            H. Power, Experimental Philosophy i. 6
          7. 1710
            Stolen or stray'd..a cole black Horse.
            London Gazette No. 4782/4
          8. 1771
            On his head, observe the jett-black glossy velvet cap.
            P. Parsons, Newmarket vol. II. 89
          9. 1859
            His noble, coal-black steed.
            E. D. E. N. Southworth, Hidden Hand 74
          10. 1896
            Her hair was concealed under a voluminous wig of a pitch-black hue.
            A. Cahan, Yekl iv. 71
          11. 1932
            The sun seemed to stream through a sudden rift in pit-black skies.
            Collier's 9 January 25/4
          12. 1989
            A jade streak in his hair and night-black shades.
            B. Robinson, Withnail & I (1998) 25 (stage direct.)
          13. 2010
            Lung-cauterizing hikes up ancient, slippery slopes, followed by torturous crawls over peat-black burns.
            Vanity Fair (New York) January 44/1
      2. I.2.
        Characterized in some way by this quality or colour.
        1. I.2.a.
          Old English–
          Having black hair or eyes; dark-complexioned. Cf. black Irish adj. Now rare.
          In early use chiefly with reference to the (descriptive) surnames or nicknames of particular individuals.
          In use with reference to complexion formerly often with implicit or explicit contrast with the conventional positive connotations of white adj. A.I.3 and fair adj. A.IV.17.
          1. eOE
            Wæs ðis tosceaden hweðre, þætte for hiora missenlice feaxes hiwe oðer wæs cueden se blaca Heawald, oðer se hwita Heawald [Latin unus Niger Heuuald, alter Albus Heuuald diceretur].
            translation of Bede, Ecclesiastical History (Tanner MS.) v. xi. 414
          2. ?c1190
            In domo Herveii de Dunelmo cognomento Blache, id est Nigri.
            Reginald of Durham, Libellus de Vita et Miraculis S. Godrici (1847) cxlii. 417
          3. 1334–5 (OE)
            Brandes gerde, & Leofgares gerde & Ælfwines gerde þe Blace [Latin virgatam Alfwini Nigri].
            Writ of Edward the Confessor, Ramsey (Sawyer 1110) in F. E. Harmer, Anglo-Saxon Writs (1952) 262
          4. 1487 (a1380)
            I dred me sair for the blak dowglass.
            J. Barbour, Bruce (St. John's Cambridge MS.) xix. 556
          5. a1500
            Comitissa Marchiæ, dicta vulgariter Blac Annes of Dunbar.
            Liber Pluscardensis (Marchm. MS.) (1877) vol. I. 284
          6. c1525
            I am content wyth blak maud my wyfe.
            J. Rastell, Of Gentylnes & Nobylyte sig. C.iv
          7. a1616
            How if she be blacke and witty?
            W. Shakespeare, Othello (1622) ii. i. 134
          8. 1661
            Took up Mr. Hater and his wife..I find her to be a very pretty modest black woman.
            S. Pepys, Diary 30 April (1970) vol. II. 91
          9. 1715
            The Fair, the Black, the Learned, the Unlearned, do all pass away.
            translation of Thomas à Kempis, Christian's Exercise i. vii. 13
          10. 1749
            He might pass for what is commonly called a comely black man, with an air of distinction natural to his birth and condition.
            J. Cleland, Memoirs of Woman of Pleasure vol. I. 150
          11. 1788
            Observing with what..eagerness a black woman seized some dirt from off an African yam.
            A. Falconbridge, Account Slave Trade Africa (ed. 2) 41
          12. 1815
            The portrait in the Master's lodge represents him as a handsome black man.
            Hist. University of Cambridge vol. I. 144
          13. 1894
            You black, swarthy villain of a smith.
            J. Jacobs, More Celtic Fairy Tales xxxix. 152
          14. 1917
            The bookbinder had a red-haired little girl whom I hated like poison. Red Esther we called her, to distinguish her from a Black Esther, whose home was on the same yard.
            A. Cahan, Rise of David Levinsky (1993) i. ii. 8
          15. 2001
            He was not at all bad-looking, what Michael called a black Celt: slightly sallow skin, a heavy beard and black eyes.
            G. Ryman, Lust (2003) 74
        2. I.2.b.
          c1300–
          Wearing black clothing, armour, etc.
          Recorded earliest in Black Monk n. See also Black Friar n.
          1. c1300
            A fair Abbeye he let þare a-rere..Of blake Monekes.
            St. Dunstan (Laud MS.) l. 42 in C. Horstmann, Early South-English Legendary (1887) 20 (Middle English Dictionary)
          2. c1325 (c1300)
            Þe priorye of seint Iames..He rerde of blake monekes.
            Chronicle of Robert of Gloucester (Caligula MS.) l. 8921 (Middle English Dictionary)
          3. a1400 (c1300)
            A Blak munk of an abbaye Was enfermer of all.
            Northern Homily: Monk returns from Death (College Phys. MS.) in Middle English Dict. at Monk
          4. c1440 (?a1400)
            Wolde he none forsake, The Rede Knyghte ne the Blake.
            Sir Perceval (1930) l. 50 (Middle English Dictionary)
          5. a1500 (c1425)
            Þe blak ordour Iacobitis, And þe qwhit Carmelitis.
            Andrew of Wyntoun, Orygynale Cronykil of Scotland (Nero MS.) viii. l. 679
          6. 1563
            Pope Honorius the thyrd by his bull honourably admitted the blacke order of the blacke fryers, In the yeare of oure Lorde. 1220.
            T. Becon, Reliques of Rome (revised edition) f. 68v
          7. c1626
            The ordoure of blak monkis called Sanct Benedictis ordoure.
            H. Bisset, Rolment of Courtis (1922) vol. II. 118
          8. a1676
            All the Monks of the black Order held a General Chapter at Northampton.
            S. Gunton, History of Church of Peterburgh (1686) 321
          9. 1750
            Clement..retained only 200 horse and 2000 foot of the black bands so called from their being clad in mourning.
            T. Carte, General History of England vol. II. 73
          10. 1817
            The nuns themselves may be termed the Black Ladies. Their dress is entirely sable, with long thick black veils thrown over the right shoulder.
            W. Pitt, Topographical History of Staffordshire i. 233
          11. 1877
            The black, or monastic clergy.
            L. P. Brockett, Cross & Crescent 154
          12. 1919
            Along the narrow street two Black Sisters were passing on their way to the convent.
            H. F. Day, Rider of King Log xxvi. 411
          13. 2000
            The Black Sisters of Leuven..didn't even read aloud, but each sister read quietly to herself.
            C. E. Harline, Burdens of Sister Margaret (revised edition) ii. xii. 153
          costume
        3. I.2.c.
          1474–
          Chess and Draughts. Designating a black or dark-coloured piece, or the player using these pieces. Also: designating a black or dark-coloured square on the board.
          1. 1474
            Whan he [sc. the king] is black, he standeth in the white.
            W. Caxton, translation of Game & Playe of Chesse (1883) iv. ii. 163
          2. a1475
            At ij drawghtis, the black King shalbe mated.
            in H. J. R. Murray, History of Chess (1913) 603 (Middle English Dictionary)
          3. 1597
            Blacke Queene the blacke field doth containe, the white Queene stands in white.
            G. B., translation of M. H. Vida, Scacchia Ludus in translation of Damiano da Odemira, Ludus Scacchiæ: Chesse-play 5
          4. 1688
            House is every one of the squares, whether they be white or black.
            R. Holme, Academy of Armory iii. v. 263/2 (Chess)
          5. 1735
            And the white loses the game, the black king being Patt.
            J. Bertin, Noble Game of Chess 68
          6. 1750
            The Knight at the black Queen's Square discovering check.
            ‘A. D. Philidor’, Chess Analysed 11
          7. 1875
            The Black Pawn on the K R file is here omitted as superfluous.
            City of London Chess Magazine 116
          8. 1890
            A frequent and fatal fork. The White Knight..attacks both the Black King and Queen.
            R. F. Green, Chess v. 17
          9. 1926
            In both problems there is mutual interference of the black Rook and Bishop.
            G. Hume & A. C. White, Weenink's Chess Problem 39
          10. 1964
            White is now able to gain space and pressurize the black squares on the king's side.
            Listener 26 November 859/2
          11. 1997
            Two friends playing a game of checkers... A computer terminal perched beside the Black player.
            J. Schaeffer, One Jump Ahead 1
          12. 2006
            In helpmates, both sides cooperate to bring about the mate of the black king.
            Chess December 44/2
          chessdraughts
        4. I.2.d.
          1615–
          Cards. Designating or relating to a card from the suits of spades or clubs. Cf. red adj. A.15.
          1. 1615
            She will make Clubs trumpe, when thou hast neuer a blacke card in thy hand.
            J. Swetnam, Araignment of Lewde, Idle, Froward, & Vnconstant Women iii. 61
          2. 1676
            She loves nothing So well as a black Ace.
            G. Etherege, Man of Mode ii. i. 20
          3. 1714
            The Club's black Tyrant first her Victim dy'd.
            A. Pope, Rape of Lock (new edition) iii. 23
          4. 1770
            The two black aces are always trumps in any suit.
            Borella, Court & Country Confectioner 208
          5. 1836
            Fortune always made clubs or spades trumps, when he had not a single black card in his hand.
            H. Smith, Tin Trumpet vol. II. 16
          6. 1860
            Remembering to place a black 3 upon a red 3, a red 6 upon a black 6.
            ‘Perseverance’, Patience 9
          7. 1953
            Miss Ramsbottom continued with her patience... ‘Red seven on black eight. Now I can move up the King.’
            A. Christie, Pocket Full of Rye viii. 52
          8. 2004
            Edmund had a black ace and a ten of diamonds in front of him.
            M. Clark, Plain Heathen Mischief (2005) 103
          cards
        5. I.2.e.
          1643–
          [After Narragansett suck- black (probably pronounced /sək-/ ) in Suckáuhock black wampum beads, nausakésachick black ones (compare quot. 16432), and in other words relating to wampum.] In colonial North America: of or designating wampum beads of a (dark) purple colour. Now historical. Cf. wampum n.
          As a unit of exchange, black wampum (made from quahog shell) was generally held to be twice as valuable as white wampum.
          1. [1643
            Their owne [money] is of two sorts: one white... The second is black, inclining to blew, which is made of the shell of a fish.
            R. Williams, Key into Lang. Amer. xxiv. 144]
          2. 1643
            Suckáuhock, nausakésachick, The blacke money.
            R. Williams, Key into Lang. Amer. xxiv. 144
          3. 1727
            We give you this Belt of Black Wampum (thirteen deep) to wipe away your Tears.
            C. Colden, History of Five Indian Nations i. 47
          4. 1868
            Wampum..are about half an inch long, generally disposed in alternate layer of white and bluish black, and valued..at about two cents for three of the black beads, or six of the white.
            B. J. Lossing, Pict. Hist. U.S. History 13
          5. 1928
            The black wampum corresponded with our gold money; it was twice as valuable as the white wampum.
            Boys' Life June 40/3
          6. 2000
            Beads made from the shells of the whelk and the quahog clam—respectively, white and black (actually purple) wampum.
            S. M. Gustafson, Eloquence is Power 84
          historical
        6. I.2.f.
          1796–
          Of coffee (and occasionally tea): served without milk or cream.
          Recorded earliest in black coffee n.
          1. 1796
            Black coffee, as it is called, or coffee without milk, is the general drink.
            J. Owen, Travels Europe vol. II. 529
          2. 1870
            Ernestine, it is not good for you to drink your coffee black. It excites your nerves.
            A. L. Wister, translation of W. von Hillern, Only Girl xi. 326
          3. 1914
            Coffee is served ‘black’, or with cream, milk, or evaporated milk and sugar.
            H. Kinne & A. M. Cooley, Foods & Household Management v. 85
          4. 1985
            Back in my bedsit, I spooned bitter instant into my..mug..and sighed. I guessed I'd just have to swallow it strong and hot and black and bitter, I'd run clean out of Marvel.
            L. Lochhead, True Confessions 19
          5. 1992
            They drank their tea black and took a thermos of it in the car.
            R. MacNeil, Burden of Desire i. 79
          6. 2005
            We go into the coffee shop and I order two black grandes.
            L. Bagshawe, Tuesday's Child xv. 331
        7. I.2.g.
          1973–
          Designating a ski run or trail suitable only for advanced users, marked with a black symbol (cf. black diamond n. 3) and represented on a map in black. Cf. blue adj. A.II.13.
          1. 1973
            Slopes marked red correspond to expert runs in the United States, and the black runs, well..good luck!
            Chicago Tribune 25 February iv. 18/5
          2. 1986
            Many resorts have to invent black runs to appeal to good skiers.
            Skiing Today Winter 57/2
          3. 2001
            There are plenty of red trails that would be black in many other resorts.
            C. Gill & D. Watts, Where to ski & Snowboard 108
          cartography
      3. I.3.
        Also with capital initial.
        1. I.3.a.
          Old English–
          Designating a member of any dark-skinned group of peoples, esp. a person of sub-Saharan African origin or descent. Also (esp. Australian): designating a person of Australian Aboriginal origin or descent (cf. blackfellow n.).
          The term black is also often applied to persons of mixed black and other ancestry. It is often closely tied to perceptions of ethnicity and of social and cultural identity. In various places at various times it has been used in a broader sense of any person who is not readily classifiable as ‘white’ (cf. white adj. A.I.5a).
          As the preferred designation esp. of North Americans of African origin, black gained acceptance in the late 1960s, rapidly replacing Negro (see note at Negro n. A.1) and coloured (see note at coloured adj. A.I.3b). Since then it has been used as a self-designation affirming a distinct ethnic and cultural identity. Terms such as African American and Afro-Caribbean which gained popularity somewhat later are often considered more positive since they avoid reference to skin colour and any of the possible negative associations of black (see for instance the figurative uses at A.II). However, though widely used, these have not yet displaced black. Cf. also person of colour at colour n.1 Phrases P.11.
          The capitalized form can have connotations of either respect or disrespect depending on the context and writer, and for this reason is sometimes avoided.
          In quot. OE referring to demons who assume the form of Ethiopians and so perhaps implying an allusion to sense A.II.10.
          1. OE
            Iudas se apostol cwæð ealswa to þæs monan anlicnysse and ðærrihte eodon ut on ealles ðæs folces gesihðe twegen blace silhearwan [Latin ethiopes nigri] of ðam anlicnyssum.
            Ælfric, Catholic Homilies: 2nd Series (Cambridge MS. Gg.3.28) xxxiii. 286
          2. ?c1225 (?a1200)
            Blac as an blamon.
            Ancrene Riwle (Cleopatra MS. C.vi) (1972) 173
          3. c1300
            With hem com mani chanbioun Mani with ladde, blac and brown.
            Havelok (Laud MS.) (1868) l. 1008 (Middle English Dictionary)
          4. c1380
            Among þe Sarsynz blake.
            Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 2785
          5. c1450
            Summe men sayon þat y am blac.
            in R. H. Robbins, Secular Lyrics 14th & 15th Century (1952) 30 (Middle English Dictionary)
          6. ?a1513
            Of ane blak [lady] I will indytt.
            W. Dunbar, Poems (1998) vol. I. 113
          7. 1553
            The bodyes of men begin to waxe blacke and to be scorched.
            R. Eden, translation of S. Münster, Treatyse of Newe India sig. Biiij
          8. 1667
            Her little black boy came by him.
            S. Pepys, Diary 27 January (1974) vol. VIII. 33
          9. 1782
            The black officers..were drummed out of the cantonments.
            India Gazette 30 March
          10. 1842
            Forrest says the Pappua Caffres are as black as the Caffres of Africa.
            J. C. Prichard, Natural History of Man (1843) 24
          11. 1856
            The ‘old Ab’ was manned by one black boy, sixty years old.
            F. L. Olmsted, Journey in Slave States 141
          12. 1889
            State laws forbidding the education of the black people had just been repealed, and the white people paid nearly all the taxes that supported schools open to both races.
            Harper's Magazine July 226/1
          13. 1921
            He had worked half a million..acres..in the days before runs were fenced, with only a few black shepherds and one white man.
            K. S. Prichard, Black Opal 105
          14. 1938
            When I used the word black I mean in the American sense where anyone who has any colored blood at all, no matter how white the appearance, speaks of himself as black.
            Z. N. Hurston, Tell my Horse i. 18
          15. 1982
            In our street dialect, called tsotsi-taal, the lingua franca of black youth in South Africa..we violated every known grammatical construction.
            M. Mzamane, Children of Soweto 6
          16. 1990
            A private high school..staffed by black teachers and offering Aboriginal children the chance to gain a secondary education focused predominantly on Aboriginal studies.
            Sydney Morning Herald (Nexis) 14 July 5
          17. 2016
            By far the greater part of his crowd was young black men, of about my own age, holding well-worn copies of his books on their knee.
            Z. Smith, Swing Time ii. iii. 94
          Australian English
        2. I.3.b.
          a1652–
          Of or relating to black people, their history, politics, culture, etc. Of an area or place: predominantly inhabited or frequented by black people.
          Sometimes spec. (chiefly U.S. and South African): (in an area of racial segregation) intended for, or predominantly used by, black people, or by all people not classified as white (now historical); cf. white adj. A.I.5b.
          1. a1652
            Tis no better then a Prodegy To have white children in a black countrey.
            R. Brome, Eng. Moor iv. v. 65 in Five New Playes (1659)
          2. 1726
            Adjoining to the White Town, stands a much larger, called the Black Town, where the Portuguese, Indians, Armenians, and a great variety of other People inhabit.
            T. Salmon, Modern History (new edition) vol. III. 9
          3. 1852
            The ‘black law’, by which coloured people were excluded from the territory.
            T. Hughes in J. Ludlow's History of United States 342
          4. 1885
            The black blood that I now knew to circulate in my veins.
            R. L. Stevenson & F. Stevenson, Dynamiter 152
          5. 1941
            There were those segregated black slums which honeycombed every Southern town.
            W. J. Cash, Mind of South iii. ii. 318
          6. 1969
            The speech studied was primarily that of Negro students; the list which follows is composed solely of deviations appearing in black speech.
            Elem. Eng. vol. 46 609/1
          7. 1979
            The black coaches need to be recoupled so that they can arrive at the black sections of the stations at the journey's respective ends.
            Eastern Province Herald (Port Elizabeth) 21 March 10
          8. 1986
            The detention of people involved in the arena of black education is becoming the order of the day.
            Grocott's Mail (Grahamstown, South Africa) 23 May 10
          9. 1989
            I like to drink in a black pub... In a white pub, you get looks and stares.
            Sydney Morning Herald (Nexis) 25 February 121
          10. 1992
            Why are more and more White stars embracing Black music?
            Jet 2 Nov.
          11. 2007
            Rap music..was a powerful, even revolutionary new medium of expression born of the frustrations and deprivations of the black urban experience.
            Independent 25 April 3/2
        3. I.3.c.
          1876–
          Designating the black population of a specified country or region, esp. as a cultural or political entity.
          See also Black America n.
          1. 1876
            This white South has not the slightest wish to see the black South enslaved again.
            Congregationalist (Boston, Massachusetts) 25 October 3/1
          2. 1906
            White Georgia may well listen to the appeal of black Georgia.
            Independent (New York) 1 March 523/1
          3. 1965
            The first phase of Mr Wilson's onslaught on the entrenched positions so far adopted by white and black Rhodesia was completed at Government House.
            Guardian 28 October 1/2
          4. 1992
            The groups engaged in community development are much more representative of black South Africa than the groups engaged in the fighting.
            M. Clough, Free at Last? iv. 20
          5. 2001
            Most of the music vibes that have come out of England have been white-associated, so this is one of the first things Black England has created.
            Touch December 50/3
      4. I.4.
        Dark, sombre, dusky, gloomy.
        1. I.4.a.
          Old English–
          Of deep water, clouds, the clouded sky, etc.: reflecting or transmitting little light.
          Quot. OE has alternatively been explained as showing blake adj.; cf. etymological note.
          1. eOE
            Of þam broce andlang streames on þone blæcpol.
            Bounds (Sawyer 528) in W. de G. Birch, Cartularium Saxonicum (1887) vol. II. 585
          2. OE
            Land wæron freorig cealdum cylegicelum, clang wæteres þrym ofer eastreamas, is brycgade blæce brimrade.
            Andreas (1932) 1262
          3. a1325 (c1280)
            Þe sonne was blak; hit was eclyps.
            Southern Passion (Pepys MS. 2344) (1927) l. 1547 (Middle English Dictionary)
          4. ?c1400 (c1380)
            Þe nyȝt ne wiþstondeþ nat to hym [sc. God] by þe blake cloudes.
            G. Chaucer, translation of Boethius, De Consolatione Philosophiae (British Library Add. MS. 10340) (1868) v. met. ii. l. 4432
          5. a1425 (?c1350)
            Þe weder wex þan wonder blak.
            Ywain & Gawain (1964) l. 369
          6. a1450
            Þay drew hyr in-to a grete blake watyr, and þat semed as cold as eny yse.
            Revelation of Purgatory (Longleat MS.) (1985) l. 304
          7. a1500 (?a1400)
            A blake water ther vndyr hym he see.
            Morte Arthur (1903) l. 3181 (Middle English Dictionary)
          8. a1522
            A watry clowd, blak and dyrk.
            G. Douglas, translation of Virgil, Æneid (1957) iii. iii. l. 86
          9. 1626
            Water of the Sea..looketh Blacker when it is moved, and Whiter when it resteth.
            F. Bacon, Sylua Syluarum §874
          10. 1646
            The young Princes were imbarqued in a Ship at Tower wharfe, and conveyed..to Sea, so cast into the Blacke deeps.
            G. Buck, History of Life Richard III iii. 84
          11. 1781
            In place of the fine Weather..it..looked dreadfully Black.
            T. Pasley, Journal 16 November in Private Sea Journals (1931) 199
          12. 1819
            The blackest sky Foretells the heaviest tempest.
            Lord Byron, Don Juan: Canto I lxxiii. 39
          13. 1840
            The rain fell fast, and it grew very black.
            R. H. Dana, Two Years before Mast x. 79
          14. 1853
            Here comes the fish, shooting up from the black depths of the river, like a meteor in a winter's night.
            Putnam's Monthly Magazine October 437/1
          15. 1949
            The clouds were black and heavy, edged here and there with livid light.
            E. Goudge, Gentian Hill iii. iv. 367
          16. 1998
            Above the fields, black clouds tumbled through a sky white and glittery as ice.
            B. Bainbridge, Master Georgie (1999) ii. 59
        2. I.4.b.
          a1393–
          Of a time of day or year, a shadow, etc.: enveloped in darkness.
          1. [OE
            Swa swa se beorhta dæig todræfð þa dymlican þeostru þære sweartan nihte.
            Ælfric, Catholic Homilies: 1st Series (Royal MS.) (1997) xxxix. 522]
          2. a1393
            The blake wynter nyht.
            J. Gower, Confessio Amantis (Fairfax MS.) i. l. 1167
          3. a1425 (?a1400)
            The blak shadowes.
            G. Chaucer, Romaunt of Rose (Hunterian MS.) (1891) l. 5356
          4. a1450 (?1420)
            O ladi Venus, modir of Cupide..O blisful sterre..Cheif recounford after þe blak nyȝt.
            J. Lydgate, Temple of Glas (Tanner MS.) (1891) l. 330 (Middle English Dictionary)
          5. 1567
            Lurking or liuing in darke places and black shadowes.
            J. Maplet, Greene Forest iii. f. 69
          6. a1616
            Heere walke I, in the black brow of night.
            W. Shakespeare, King John (1623) v. vi. 18
          7. 1637
            In thick shelter of black shades imbowr'd.
            J. Milton, Comus 3
          8. 1790
            That hour, o' night's black arch the key-stane.
            R. Burns, Tam o' Shanter in Poems & Songs (1968) vol. II. 559
          9. 1883
            Storms howling down the black chimney in the blacker night.
            J. Parker, Apostolic Life vol. II. 168
          10. 1906
            The blackest month of all the year Is the month of Janiveer.
            E. B. Holden, Country Diary Edwardian Lady (1977) 1
          11. 1926
            A single electric bulb burned over the white-washed entrance of a cavern that soon lost itself in black subterranean shadows.
            Popular Science Monthly February 16/3
          12. 2008
            In upstate Huddersfield it was a black, blustery night, slashing with rain.
            S. Armitage, Gig (2009) 147
      5. I.5.
        c1300–
        Deeply stained with dirt; soiled, filthy, begrimed.
        1. c1300
          In a poke ful and blac, Sone he caste him on his bac.
          Havelok (Laud MS.) (1868) l. 555 (Middle English Dictionary)
        2. c1450 (c1380)
          But he [sc. Eolus] Toke out hys blake trumpe of bras That fouler than the deuel was.
          G. Chaucer, House of Fame (Fairfax MS. 16) (1878) l. 1637
        3. a1533
          Brysebar whan he sawe his owne handes soo foule and black it abhorred him.
          Lord Berners, translation of Arthur of Brytayn (?1560) ci. sig. D.ivv/1
        4. 1595
          Some one..taketh vp a blacke cole, which he turneth and tumbleth in his hands, till it foule and make blacke his fingers.
          A. Fletcher, Certaine Similies 84
        5. 1602
          Foule blacke, quarrie, scorched hands.
          R. Marbecke, Def. Tabacco viii. sig. H4v
        6. 1615
          Their houses are all blacke with the smoak of this rosen.
          E. Grimeston, translation of P. d'Avity, Estates 58
        7. 1726
          On heaps of death the stern Ulysses stood, All black with dust and cover'd thick with blood.
          A. Pope, translation of Homer, Odyssey vol. V. xxii. 439
        8. 1789
          The officers' rooms, the walls of which were black with dirt, had been for some time used as a granary.
          I. Munro, Narrative of Military Operations iii. 20
        9. 1801
          I wish Lord B. would wash his hands, and use a nail-brush, for the black edges of his hands really make me sick.
          M. Nugent, Journal 31 July (1839) vol. I. 25
        10. 1873
          My hands was quite black & my face & arms grimed.
          H. Cullwick, Diaries (1984) 75
        11. 1958
          The doors of her drawing-room were black with dirt from her footmen's fingers.
          M. R. B. Shaw, translation of Stendhal, Charterhouse of Parma vi. 124
        12. 1999
          I gaped at his features, then at his scarred hands, their nails black and worn to the quick.
          C. Thubron, In Siberia (2000) i. 14
      6. I.6.
        1496–
        In the names of artificial flies used in fly-fishing.
        1. 1496
          The blacke louper, the body of blacke wull & lappyd abowte wyth the herle of ye pecok tayle.
          Treat. Fysshynge wyth Angle in Boke St. Albans (revised edition) sig. i.iiiv
        2. a1589
          The blacke Fly or lowper, (in May) the body is made of blacke wooll.
          L. Mascall, Bk. Fishing (1590) 17
        3. 1655
          There are twelve Kinds of Artificial made Flies to Angle with upon the top of the water... The sixth is, the black-fly.., the body made of black-wool and lapt about with the herle of a Peacocks tail.
          I. Walton, Compleat Angler (ed. 2) v. 145
        4. 1766
          The Bleak..may be taken with a very small, fine, artificial black gnat.
          R. Bowlker, Universal Angler 73
        5. 1799
          Black-midge, or gnat. Dubbing, of the down of a mole.
          translation of Laboratory (ed. 6) vol. II. x. 311
        6. 1837
          The Black Spinner..has acquired a high reputation, both as a lake and a river-fly.
          J. Kirkbride, Northern Angler 57
        7. 1861
          Large fish have been taken, especially with the black midge, the smallest of our artificial flies.
          H. Wade, Halcyon vii. 96
        8. 1923
          The Lea should yield some good specimens of these fish to the black gnat.
          Daily Mail 11 August 7
        9. 1990
          Any fly from a Black Woolly Worm to a Bitch Creek Nymph will turn a trout's head when salmon fly nymphs are on the march across the bottom.
          D. Hughes, Tactics for Trout ii. vii. 156
        fishing
      7. I.7.
        Music.
        1. I.7.a.
          In musical notation.
          1. I.7.a.i.
            a1540–
            Early Music. Written in black rather than red (see red adj. A.14).
            Frequently used in collocation with full (denoting a symbol with a solid head) and void (denoting a symbol with an unfilled or open head), the latter typically having half the time value of the former, the reverse relation to that described in sense A.I.7a.ii.
            1. [1504
              In musyke I haue lernyde iiij colours, as thys: blake, fulle blake, voyde, & in lyke wyse, rede.
              W. Cornysh, Tretyse bytwene Enformacione & Musyke in Archiv für das Studium der Neueren Sprachen (1908) vol. 120 424]
            2. a1540
              The blake long contenyȝth as much as þe rede and halfe as much more.
              J. Tucke in R. Woodley, John Tucke (1993) 68
            3. 1597
              If a white note (which they called black voide) happened amongste blacke full, it was diminished of halfe the value.
              T. Morley, Plaine & Easie Introduction to Musicke Annot. sig. ¶4
            4. 1776
              This kind of alteration in the value by a change in the colour of notes..is mentioned by most authors, who when they speak of the diversity of colours mention black full and black void, and red full and red void.
              J. Hawkins, General History Music vol. II. ii. v. 180
            5. 1880
              About the year 1370 both the black and red forms gradually fell into disuse.
              W. S. Rockstro in G. Grove, Dictionary of Music vol. II. 471/1
            6. 1989
              The most sophisticated use of coloration was that of English composers of the late 14th and early 15th centuries, who used simultaneously black full, black void, red full and red void notation.
              A. E. Planchart in H. M. Brown & S. Sadie, Performance Pract. before 1600 vii. 139
            music
          2. I.7.a.ii.
            1614–
            Of a note: having a solid or filled head, rather than an open one, signifying, in the case of the crotchet (and sometimes smaller values) a note of half the time value of its open equivalent. Sometimes also, in certain contexts: designating such a note signifying a time value bearing some other proportional relation to notes of standard value. Cf. open adj. I.14b, white note n. (a).
            1. 1614
              The Externall Signes are those which are set, at the beginning of Songs, and are the Characters of the Degrees, for the Diminishing of the White and Blacke Notes.
              T. Ravenscroft, Briefe Disc. 13
            2. 1658
              This swift Triple Time is many times prick'd in Black Notes, which Black Note..is of one and the same Measure with the Minim.
              J. Playford, Breif Introduction to Skill of Musick (new edition) i. 29
            3. 1782
              Notes in a lozenge form..whether the heads were full or open, were at first called Minims; but when a still quicker note was thought necessary, the white or open notes only had that title, and the black were..by the English [called] Crotchets.
              C. Burney, General History of Music vol. II. 303
            4. 1841
              The abbreviations..consist for the most part in the use of..strokes which are drawn through the stems of the filled or black notes.
              J. F. Warner, Universal Dictionary Musical Terms p. iii/2 in translation of G. Weber, General Music Teacher
            5. 1923
              It was first written as a black note, and later as an open one with a tail on the right side.
              J. Pulver, Dictionary O.E. Music & Musical Instruments 131
            6. 1974
              The note-head..is somewhat oval in shape, and is either open (or ‘white’..) or closed (‘black’..).
              G. Read, Music Notation v. 63
            7. 1999
              The link between the eye and ear starts with the very notation of music, its patterns of symbols and staves, black notes, white notes, rectangles, hairpins, half-circles with dots.
              Times (Nexis) 14 January
            music
        2. I.7.b.
          1664–
          Designating a key on a piano or similar keyboard instrument which is coloured black rather than white; designating a note corresponding to such a key (typically a sharp or flat, although black is used for naturals on some, esp. older, instruments). Cf. white note n. (b).
          1. 1664
            So the black Keyes proceed with the white in the chromatic.
            J. Birchensha, translation of J. H. Alsted, Templum Musicum iv. 22
          2. 1811
            In the profile, or longitudinal section of this instrument,..the following parts are the same as instruments now in use: A the finger-keys, B the raised black keys for flats or sharps, [etc.].
            Philosophical Magazine July 47
          3. 1828
            Hence the well known idea that the black notes of a piano of themselves produce a kind of Scotch tune.
            W. L. Bowles, Hermes Britannicus v. 75
          4. 1920
            To make it interesting I'm going to feature my sustaining pedal action.., fist on black note chords, & glissando action.
            P. Grainger, Letter 1 September in All-round Man (1994) 50
          5. 1970
            A small anonymous English seventeenth-century spinet, with white naturals, black sharps.
            Galpin Soc. Journal vol. 23 148
          6. 2008
            Irving Berlin..favored the ebonies over the ivories when he first started playing. His melodies found their home among the black keys.
            New York Times (National edition) 30 November (Arts & Leisure section) 6/1
          music
      8. I.8.
        1736–
        Ceramics. Designating any of a number of different wares, either glazed or unglazed, having a black appearance.
        With reference to a variety of porcelain produced by Wedgwood, cf. basalt n. 2.
        1. 1736
          Black China-ware has..its Value and Beauty.
          R. Brookes, translation of J.-B. Du Halde et al. General History of China vol. II. 333
        2. 1763
          Hard Fire-Clay, of a duller whiter Colour, which they use for their black Wares.
          B. Martin, Natural History of England vol. II. 185
        3. 1787
          The black basaltes having the appearance of antique bronze..is excellently adapted for busts, sphynxes, small statues, etc.
          J. Wedgwood in L. Jewitt, Wedgwoods (1865) 332
        4. 1832
          Basaltes, or black ware..was a black porcelainous biscuit, having nearly the same properties as the natural stone.
          G. R. Porter, Treatise Manufacture of Porcelain & Glass 17
        5. 1875
          Black Marble. A crystalline terra-cotta body. The colour is black shaded. Black painted. Single stems and flowers painted on black glazed ware... Black printed. Cream-ware printed over or under the glaze with patterns in black.
          E. Meteyard, Wedgwood Handbook 391
        6. 1885
          Black Pottery is usually made from a very silicious or sandy clay.
          Encyclopædia Britannica vol. XIX. 618/2
        7. 1936
          This ‘black burnished’ pottery is identical with the black ware found in Mohenjodaro and not dissimilar to the black ware..of the earlier Chalcolithic periods of Baluchistan and Persia.
          Discovery September 289/1
        8. 1993
          Ben Richardson's deep-lustred black wares certainly held one's attention, the onyx-like surfaces absolutely fascinating.
          Hobart Mercury (Nexis) 10 July
        ceramics
      9. I.9.
        1800–
        Marked or affected by burning; charred.
        1. 1800
          All sad is my Soul, when I view yon black Ruins Where once stood the cabin of Mary la More.
          Olio 2 April 24/1
        2. 1820
          Patient brethren view the black remains Of their once peaceful settlement.
          J. Lawson, Orient Harping i. 100
        3. 1863
          I had the audacity to find fault with the black toast and cold eggs Mrs. Morgan provided for us.
          A. Keary, Janet's Home vii. 132
        4. 1944
          Once a fire had passed, black stumps, black logs, and black ground was all that was left.
          F. E. Lewis, Then & Now in Michigan vii. 68
        5. 1998
          A photographic representation of the particular offending food item(s) (clumped pasta, black steak, etc.).
          J. M. Norris, Designing Second Lang. Performance Assessments 111
        6. 2009
          The fire..reduced the two-storey home to black timbers.
          Brantford (Ontario) Expositor (Nexis) 16 January b6
    2. II.
      In figurative senses, chiefly with negative connotations.
      [Compare note in etymology section on the origin and development of these senses.]
      1. II.10.
        Old English–
        Very evil or wicked; iniquitous; foul, hateful.
        1. OE
          Hig [sc. the faithless] ne þicgeað þæs lambes flæsc þe soð Crist ys, ac þæs dracan þe wæs geseald þam blacan folce to mete, þæt ys þam synfullum.
          Byrhtferð, Enchiridion (Ashmole MS.) (1995) iii. i. 124
        2. a1387
          Blake flokkes of Scottes [tetri Scotorum greges].
          J. Trevisa, translation of R. Higden, Polychronicon (St. John's Cambridge MS.) (1874) vol. V. 229
        3. a1400 (c1303)
          Whan þou synnest, þou..makest þy soule black as pyk.
          R. Mannyng, Handlyng Synne (Harley MS.) l. 11540 (Middle English Dictionary)
        4. a1450 (1410)
          This holy tyme..Burnysche bryȝt ȝoure soules blake.
          in J. Kail, 26 Political Poems (1904) 34 (Middle English Dictionary)
        5. 1539
          Medle not wt naughtye felowes & such as haue blacke and diffamed maners.
          R. Taverner, translation of Erasmus, Prouerbes sig. G.vv
        6. 1581
          You wil haue a blacke soule..if you doe not the sooner forsake the Queene..and her heresies.
          W. Lambarde, Eirenarcha (1588) App.
        7. 1609
          Red Seas, to drowne our blacke Egyptian sinnes.
          J. Davies, Holy Roode sig. G4
        8. 1692
          The portion of the blackest Criminals.
          R. Bentley, Boyle Lectures i. 25
        9. 1713
          He has vented the blackest Calumnies.
          S. Pycroft, Brief Enquiry into Free-thinking 25
        10. 1738
          I shall never be guilty of such black ingratitude.
          A. M'Aulay in Swift's Letters clix
        11. 1749
          Concealing Facts of the blackest Die.
          H. Fielding, Tom Jones vol. VI. xvii. vii. 138
        12. 1839
          Die with the black lie flapping on your lips.
          P. J. Bailey, Festus 71
        13. 1865
          The man..could still feel terrified and abashed at the contrast between his own black soul and the sacred purity of the child before him.
          H. Kingsley, Hillyars & Burtons vol. III. xv. 156
        14. 1920
          To sneer at and belittle America's vastly important part in the winning of it [sc. the war] is proof either of a weirdly short memory or a heart full of black ingratitude.
          Sandusky (Ohio) Reg. 5 February 4/2
        15. 1999
          Deliberately to put the life of a patient at risk because of a lust for his wife is among the blackest crimes in the professional book.
          J. Butler, Ethics of Health Care Rationing ii. 55
        1. II.11.a.
          a1387–
          Of a point or period of time: characterized by disaster or despair; unhappy, calamitous.
          1. a1387
            Þe feste of þilke dayes is i-cleped Quinquatria, þat is, þe fyue bl[a]k dayes, for þe sorwe and þe bitternesse þat þe Romayns mysspedde whan þe Frensche men and Hannibal byseged hem all aboute.
            J. Trevisa, translation of R. Higden, Polychronicon (St. John's Cambridge MS.) (1865) vol. I. 245
          2. 1568
            Blak be þair hour.
            J. Rowll, Cursing l. 12 in W. T. Ritchie, Bannatyne Manuscript (1928) vol. II. 277
          3. 1651
            The ninth of July is a black day with them, because on that day the destructions of both the Temples happened.
            J. F., translation of H. C. Agrippa, Three Books of Occult Philosophy iii. lxiii. 548
          4. 1713
            Great..was the Wickedness of these ungrateful Nations, in those Black Days of the great Rebellion.
            L. Milbourne, Guilty Conscience makes Rebel 22
          5. 1759
            That black hour, (May memory ever raze it from her records).
            W. Mason, Caractacus 16
          6. 1829
            O, wirra, Eily! this is the black day to your ould father.
            G. Griffin, Collegians vol. I. vii. 153
          7. 1871
            Ah, there were brave days in those black periods, brave days when great hearts told out by dying how dear Christ was to them.
            C. H. Spurgeon, Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit vol. XVI. 282
          8. 1906
            Even the revolutionists and anarchists of this country have added nothing that would serve to silhouette the personality and act of the man upon the background of those black days.
            Mother Earth October 5
          9. 1956
            I remember listening to a journeyman fitter recalling that black time in the history of the Belfast working-class.
            S. H. Bell, Erin's Orange Lily iii. 39
          10. 2003
            It's more than a black day for this town, it's a stab in its heart.
            Guardian 17 November i. 15/1
        2. II.11.b.
          1576–
          Prefixed to the name of a day of the week to denote a specific past date associated with disaster, defeat, ruin, etc. In later use esp.: denoting a day of panic in the financial world, such as may be caused by a sudden fall in share prices.
          For more established uses of Black Friday, Monday, Saturday, Thursday, and Wednesday, see the main entries. Recorded earliest in Black Saturday n. 1.
          1. 1576
            Quhen he and he went togidder to the blak Settirday..he drew him be the Kirk of Dalrye.
            in R. Pitcairn, Criminal Trials in Scotland (1833) vol. II. ii. 56
          2. 1644
            The battell of Ballemony, which the English in regard of the fatability of the day, call Blacke Friday.
            D. Harcourt, Clergies Lament. 11
          3. 1757
            This treachery the Scots ascribed to the instigation of Drury. It was denominated Drury's peace, or the black Saturday.
            T. Smollett, Complete History of England vol. III. v. vii. 49
          4. 1851
            The 6th of February last, which received..the ominous designation of ‘Black Thursday’, will be long remembered in Victoria for its intense heat and burning winds, and the extensive conflagrations that occurred over all the country.
            Illustr. Austral. Magazine (Melbourne) July 26
          5. 1872
            Black Wednesday. Extraordinary fall in the stock market. Hundreds ruined.
            San Francisco Chronicle 16 May 3/4 (heading)
          6. 1930
            The shooting of British Intelligence Officers on Black Sunday.
            Observer 16 February 6/4
          7. 1943
            The events of Black Monday, as the day of the riots came to be called.
            G. D. H. Cole, John Burns 13
          8. 1988
            On Black Tuesday, October 20, when the Tokyo market fell by a record 3,836 points, the ministry acted swiftly, calling traders of the four brokers together.
            Financial Times 14 October 19/7
          9. 1995
            On Black Saturday, when it was not clear whether the Soviet Union would accept the naval quarantine of Cuba.., Dean Acheson told President Kennedy that the missiles would have to be knocked out.
            Guardian 1 May ii. 10/4
          finance
        1. II.12.a.
          1547–
          Having or demonstrating evil intent; malignant, deadly; sinister.
          1. 1547
            Their sowles they can not harme with all their popes blacke curses.
            J. Bale, Lattre Examinacyon A. Askewe Preface f. 9v
          2. 1565
            The Lawe of kind and trothe thus rent in twaine His hart on mischiefe set, and in his brest Blacke treason hid then.
            T. Norton & T. Sackville, Gorboduc iv. ii. sig. D.i
          3. 1583
            Many a blacke curse haue they of the poore commons for their doing.
            P. Stubbes, Second Part of Anatomie of Abuses sig. D6
          4. a1616
            That black Name, Edward, black Prince of Wales.
            W. Shakespeare, Henry V (1623) ii. iv. 56
          5. 1634
            The blacke edict of a tyrant grave.
            W. Habington, Castara ii. 74
          6. 1713
            Think it Madness to be unprepared against that black Moment.
            R. Steele in Guardian 1 April 1/1
          7. 1758
            The throne..usurped by the Queen's black enemy, Philip.
            H. Walpole, Catalogue of Royal Authors (1759) vol. I. 142
          8. 1821
            That's a black augury!
            Lord Byron, Sardanapalus v. i. 149
          9. 1855
            Her enemies shall have sated their black desire for her blood.
            Graham's Magazine December 507/2
          10. 1920
            I beg of you, ma'am, to..dissuade him from his black purpose, if not by an appeal to honor, then by an appeal to his shame.
            H. Titus, Last Straw xxi. 196
          11. 1954
            [They] paint individuals or classes or societies as heroes and villains, wholly white or unimaginably black.
            I. Berlin, Historical Inevitability vi. 63
          12. 2005
            We are offering you the chance to leave behind the darkness, the black desires, the blood urges that torment you.
            S. Russe, Beyond Pale i. 14
        2. II.12.b.
          1961–
          [Compare pièce noire n., film noir n.] Of comedy, a comic piece, etc.: presenting tragic or distressing situations in humorous terms; wry, ironic. Frequently in black comedy, black humour n. 2.
          1. 1961
            Another festival choice is the Spanish Placido, a new film by Berlanga, described as ‘another excursion into black comedy’.
            Times 14 October 12/6
          2. 1965
            The whole form of ‘Berck-Plage’, a poem about a seaside funeral, is a most remarkable piece of black cinema.
            Listener 11 March 379/3
          3. 1984
            A Scrooge at once sad and wicked, with a smile of black irony.
            New York Magazine 10 December 84 (caption)
          4. 2004
            A raucous, high voltage black comedy following the journalists ‘embedded’ with the US military in Iraq as they embarked on the Pentagon's prime time war.
            Time Out 25 August 138/1
          humorous
        1. II.13.a.
          ?1550–
          Designating something which indicates disgrace, undesirability, failure, liability to punishment, etc. (often involving or consisting in a black symbol). Cf. black book n. 2, blacklist n., black mark n.
          1. ?1550
            He feared the blacke blotte of treason for maynteynynge monkery, whych hys prince had condempned afore.
            J. Bale, Apology agaynste Papyst f. cxvi
          2. 1595
            Let mercie mittigate the large blacke bill Of my dead sinnes.
            B. Barnes, Divine Centurie of Spirituall Sonnets iii. sig. A4v
          3. 1612
            To punish by a note, which may be called, the black Bill.
            J. Brinsley, Ludus Literarius xxix. 286
          4. 1714
            Shortly a black Bill of our most hidden Iniquities shall be publickly read before us.
            M. Hole, Pract. Discourse Liturgy Church of England vol. I. xiv. 113
          5. 1832
            When mounted thus on the top of the black stool, he seemed so delighted.
            A. Picken, Changeable Charlie in Athenaeum July 431/1
          6. 1841
            Write Curzon down, Denounced..Put a black cross against the name of Curzon.
            C. Dickens, Barnaby Rudge viii. 281
          7. 1870
            A ‘black page’ is reserved for towns with an unsatisfactory bill of health or an excessive death-rate.
            Food Journal December 584
          8. 1920
            I said I would be glad to play for them if it would n't be held against me and put down as a large black blot on my efficiency record.
            Atlantic Monthly February 183/1
          9. 2007
            Although there are some black spots on the American record of fighting insurgencies..U.S. policy has historically eschewed extreme measures such as those applied by the Germans or Soviets.
            J. S. Corum, Fighting War on Terror iii. 84
        2. II.13.b.
          1911–
          [Short for blackleg n. 4.] Originally (of a person): that performs blackleg labour. In later use (of goods, a vessel, or work): not to be handled or undertaken by trade union members, esp. so as to express support for an industrial dispute elsewhere.
          1. 1911
            None of these gentlemen here is blacklegs... Anyone wantin' to prove who's black let him step out here.
            L. St. C. Grondola, Collar & Cuffs 100
          2. 1917
            The strikers notified the merchants that if they refused credit to any of their present customers they would be declared ‘black’.
            Independent (New York) 20 October 120/2
          3. 1927
            The Waterside Workers' Federation to-day declared as ‘black’ the steamer Kakakiri.
            Daily Telegraph 22 November 12/2
          4. 1935
            [Work books] will facilitate the control of the labour market and the prevention of ‘double-earning’ and ‘black labour’.
            Economist 8 June 1302/2
          5. 1959
            Meanwhile, as magazines and provincial papers progressively close down, tension is increasing in those offices where arrangements have been made to produce ‘black’ editions.
            New Statesman 11 July 34/1
          6. 1963
            When supervisory staff took over maintenance and transport driving duties, all the firm's production men quickly classified their work as ‘black’ and walked out.
            Times 28 May 5/1
          7. 2005
            At Canary Wharf..a fruit ship had been declared black so the owners had sent the ship to Oslo, but no docker would handle it there either.
            N. Harding, Staying Red iv. 81
        3. II.13.c.
          1973–
          Finance (chiefly British). Designating unfavourable information about a person's financial status, esp. his or her credit record, held or passed on by a bank, finance house, etc. Cf. white adj. A.II.7c.
          1. 1973
            Records of successful transactions are termed ‘white’ information, and adverse entries ‘black’ information.
            Times 18 August 18/2
          2. 1989
            They [sc. banks] are releasing ‘black information’ to credit agencies about clients who have defaulted.
            Observer 26 February 72/8
          3. 1993
            Some of this is ‘black’ data on credit requests and fraudsters, with the high-street banks refusing to provide the ‘white’ data of customers' everyday transactions, citing a duty of confidentiality.
            Guardian 10 November ii. 12/4
          4. 1995
            Other countries have opted for a negative or ‘black’ credit register: all borrowers who defaulted in the past are recorded in the register.
            P. van Cayseele et al. in A. van Witteloostuijn, Market Evolution viii. 130
          5. 2009
            Like other credit reference bureaux, it faced criticism for stockpiling black information rather than white data.
            S. O'Connell, Credit & Community iii. 112
          financeBritish English
        1. II.14.a.
          1562–
          Of an emotion, state of mind, etc.: full of gloom, melancholy, misery, or sadness; very depressed.
          1. 1562
            His wordes haue chased straight out of her hart despayre, Her blacke and ougly dredfull thoughts by hope are waxen fayre.
            A. Brooke, translation of M. Bandello, Tragicall Hist. Romeus & Iuliet f. 57v
          2. 1567
            He..that is ambicious in climbing vp the turning wheele, throwen downe beneth the brinke of aduerse lucke, whelmed in the ditche & pit of blacke despaire.
            W. Painter, Palace of Pleasure vol. II. xi. f. 67v
          3. ?a1591
            This claiey dregg..is blake melankolie.
            King James VI & I, Poems (1958) vol. II. 151
          4. 1659
            What a black gloomy condition am I now in?
            H. Hammond, Paraphrase & Annotations Psalms (xlii. 9 Paraphr.) 222
          5. a1715
            He had also very black fits of the spleen.
            Bishop G. Burnet, History of Own Time (1724) vol. I. 570
          6. 1807
            The slow still march of black despair.
            J. Barlow, Columbiad i. 22
          7. 1856
            If a fit of spiritual despondency came over him Kate charmed away the black mood by the solace of reading.
            H. Worsley, Life M. Luther vol. II. v. 98
          8. 1921
            The pounding of the wheels wove into his brain a sort of rhythm, and with the rhythm was born a great idea, the product of his mood of black wrath, and a twisted sense of humor.
            American Woman January 8/4
          9. 1939
            The future seemed hopeless and Göring was in black despair.
            Life 11 September 56/3
          10. 2007
            He didn't feel like eating any more. A wave of black melancholy had come over him.
            S. Sartarelli, translation of A. Camilleri, Patience of Spider 206
        2. II.14.b.
          1604–
          Of a situation or prospect: foreboding, threatening; (of an expression or look) full of anger or hatred.
          1. 1604
            Now heauen auert an ill Of that blacke looke.
            B. Jonson, His Pt. Royall Entertainem. sig. B3v
          2. 1681
            What a black prospect have we of most terrible confusions to follow, on such a fatal blow.
            G. Burnet, Serm. before Aldermen City of London, Jan 30 18
          3. 1832
            His countenance was black as night.
            H. Martineau, For Each & All ii. 25
          4. 1863
            I cannot but see A black future before me already. The competition of these machines Will certainly kill us poor horses.
            Colburn's New Monthly Magazine vol. 128 233
          5. 1887
            I doubt if many an older and stouter heart would not have quailed, as mine did, at the black prospect.
            C. M. R. Reignolds-Winslow, Yesterdays with Actors ix. 178
          6. 1916
            We give them [sc. tips] to avoid a black look, or to buy a grateful one.
            Spectator in Living Age 25 March 822/1
          7. 1978
            Charles was too angry to speak, giving her the blackest of looks, which Lily noticed only vaguely.
            S. Graham, Late Lily Shiel xiv. 196
          8. 2007
            Nor are his prospects as black as many Labour people had been fearing and many Tories had been hoping.
            Observer (Nexis) 24 June 31
        1. II.15.a.
          1922–
          Designating a commercial institution, commerce, or work which contravenes economic regulations, often by using unofficial cash transactions to avoid taxation; (also) of or relating to illicit trading; bought or sold in this way. Cf. black economy n. (b), black market n., black money n. 3.
          1. 1922
            Stock dealing in Russia has never ceased; before 1921 detection involved a violent death; but in the summer of that year ‘green’ and ‘black’ bourses flourished in every big city.
            Fortnightly Review July 66
          2. 1937
            There was always in Moscow and Leningrad, Kharkov and Kiev, the so-called ‘Black Exchange’, where native speculators illegally offered to the tourist, for American dollars or British pound notes, five, ten or twenty times as many roubles as the State Bank would give.
            S. Webb & B. Webb, Soviet Communism (ed. 2) vol. II. 1199
          3. 1938
            We're expected to buy ‘black’ rubles or bootleg rubles which are available..at a fraction of the standard rate. We used to get them in what we call the Black Bourse... It's..a name applied to the ‘bootleg’ circles; to channels through which we bought black rubles.
            Sun (Baltimore) 18 March 3/1
          4. 1942
            Contravention of war economic decrees, e.g. black slaughtering, were frequently punished with death.
            Annual Register 1941 175
          5. 1946
            There are some things—food bought ‘black’ and services—which are not to be had for Reichsmarks.
            Times 18 April 5/6
          6. 1977
            Black labor acts as a shock absorber enabling Italy to survive economic crisis.
            Time 15 August 13/1
          7. 2008
            The trade in ‘black landings’—where trawlers illicitly sold over-quota fish—has been eradicated.
            Guardian 25 March 9/4
          economics and commerce
        2. II.15.b.
          ?1945–
          Military (originally and chiefly U.S.). Designating an operation, assignment, etc., which is secret or covert, esp. one conducted outside ordinary channels of command and accountability. Cf. black op n.
          1. ?1945
            Certain special demands were placed on the Intelligence Section in connection with the black operations carried out.
            Rep. Operations U.S. Army: 12th Army Group Publicity & Psychol. Warfare Section vol. XIV. iv. vii. 206
          2. 1967
            You are to consider the whole conversation black, the whole procedure black, you are to handle it all yourself.
            J. H. Roberts, February Plan vol. II. i. 157
          3. 1985
            A black assignment is beyond Top Secret: it's done in complete secrecy with a budget that is not revealed to the public.
            W. J. Boyne & S. L. Thompson, Wild Blue 229
          4. 2004
            In the early Bush presidency there was a shortage of covert insertions into sovereign states..and insufficient funding for black operations.
            Wall Street Journal 17 May (Central edition) a20/4
          militaryU.S. English
  2. noun
    1. 1.
      A black ink, dye, or pigment.
      1. 1.a.
        Old English–1447
        † Black ink or other writing fluid; (hence) black written characters. Cf. bleck n., blatch n. Obsolete.
        in the black: in writing.
        black and white: see black and white n. B.I.1a, B.I.1b.
        1. OE
          Incaustum uel atramentum, blæc.
          Antwerp Glossary (1955) 184
        2. OE
          We lærað þæt hi to ælcon sinoðe habban ælce geare..blæc and bocfel to heora gerædnessum.
          Wulfstan, Canons of Edgar (Corpus Christi Cambridge MS.) (1972) ii. 2
        3. c1330 (?a1300)
          An old hore man it was bitake So we finden in þe blake.
          Arthour & Merlin (Auchinleck MS.) (1973) l. 2702
        4. a1400 (?c1300)
          Knele þou doun & say þen þis þat next in blak wryten is.
          Lay Folks Mass Book (Royal MS.) (1879) l. 282 (Middle English Dictionary)
        5. 1447
          The seconde folio begynnyng in blacke ‘Qui Venit’.
          Acct. in Berks, Bucks & Oxon Archæol. Journal (1905) vol. 11 56
      2. 1.b.
        Old English–
        Any black substance, esp. one used for blacking; any of various black pigments, paints, dyes, or varnishes used esp. by artists or in industry; frequently with distinguishing word.
        Berlin, bone, Brunswick, ivory, lamp, Spanish black: see the first element.
        In quot. OE in figurative context.
        1. OE
          [Ut MS.] caccabatum furvę fuliginis atramentum exhorruit : befyled deorces, nigre, sotes blæc of scoc, wiþsoc.
          Aldhelm Glosses (Brussels MS. 1650) in L. Goossens, Old English Glosses of MS Brussels, Royal Library 1650 (1974) 411
        2. c1300 (?c1225)
          He wipede þat blake [i.e. coal dust or soot] of his swere.
          King Horn (Cambridge MS.) (1901) l. 1203 (Middle English Dictionary)
        3. ?a1425
          Thynges blacking heres..þat blacke [Latin illud nigrum] þat is in þe middes of papauer rubeum mixte with oleo mirtino.
          translation of Guy de Chauliac, Grande Chirurgie (N.Y. Acad. Med. MS.) f. 123v (Middle English Dictionary)
        4. a1475
          To make a fyne blake, take a clene pece of brasse..and hold hit overe a brynynge candelle of roseyne, to the fyre have congeylyd blacke on the brase.
          in J. O. Halliwell, Early English Miscellanies (1855) 75 (Middle English Dictionary)
        5. 1477
          One of his neyghbours made dye his here in blak.
          Earl Rivers, translation of Dictes or Sayengis Philosophhres (Caxton) (1877) lf. 63v
        6. 1581
          Clothes..dyed with a galled and mathered Black.
          Act 23 Eliz. ix. §3
        7. 1670
          Dyers in the making of their Blacks, use not Alom but Vitriol.
          W. Simpson, Hydrological Essays 75
        8. 1735
          There is a colour call'd cold Black or Jesuits Black, prepar'd of the same ingredients as the former, but without being first dyed blue.
          Dictionarium Polygraphicum vol. I. (at cited word)
        9. 1798
          The experiments succeeded more frequently and surely with the coarser, more unctuous, and heavier, like Russian painters' black.
          Weekly Magazine 26 May 114/2
        10. 1825
          The black for dyeing is obtained from the expressed juice of the root.
          W. B. Stevenson, Historical Narrative Residence in South America vol. I. v. 109
        11. 1852
          Blacks require no preparation; but it is necessary to body them; that is, to fill up the pores of the wool, silk, or any other substance.
          J. S. Bradley, Housekeeper's Guide (1860) 126
        12. 1903
          Acetylene black has also been tried in calico printing, and has given far better results in tone and strength than other blacks.
          F. H. Leeds & W. J. Atkinson, Acetylene x. 233
        13. 1985
          Common or Flanders blacks were really ultra-black blues and purples. True or Spanish black could only be made with copperas mixed with galls, and, optionally..steel flings or slip also.
          E. Kerridge, Textile Manufactures Early Modern Eng. xii. 167
        14. 2005
          Lay a mound of Mars Black on your palette straight from the tube.
          D. Markle & L. Vanover, Ult. Guide to Painting from Photographs ii. 52
      3. 1.c.
        1558–
        Any of various preparations used by shoemakers, tanners, curriers, etc., for dyeing or staining leather black. Cf. blacking n.1 2b, shoemaker's black n., blatch n.
        1. 1558
          Take of the blacke that Curriers or tanners doo black their skins with, for you may haue much for moneye.
          W. Ward, translation of G. Ruscelli, Secretes Alexis of Piemount v. f. 100
        2. 1568
          The Seedes also myxed with shomakers blacke, doth take away wartes.
          T. Hill, Proffitable Arte Gardening (revised edition) iii. xxix. f. 104v
        3. 1635
          The seeds of Basil, put up into the nose, procure sneezing; and being mixed with shoemakers black, do take away warts, killing them to the very roots.
          J. Swan, Speculum Mundi vi. 244
        4. 1661
          Shoomakers black with vineger.
          R. Lovell, Πανζωορυκτολογια, sive Panzoologicomineralogia 277
        5. 1754
          Currier's Black, a black made with gall-nuts, sour beer, and old iron, termed the first black. The second black, which gives the gloss to the leather, is composed of gall-nuts, copperas, and gum arabic.
          Dictionary Art & Science vol. I. 311/1
        6. 1787
          His shoes received their last tincture of black from the currier.
          W. Hutton, Courts of Requests 77
        7. 1897
          In the making of ‘sig’ stains, blacks and pastes for leather, borax is the currier's friend.
          C. T. Davis, Manufacture of Leather (ed. 2) 623
        8. 1905
          The skins are now given a coat of good aniline black; chrome leather black, or tannin leather black, are suitable.
          Leather Manufacturer June 97
        9. 1998
          The Greeks have made a connection between copper and shoemakers' black by their name for it; for they call it chalcanthon [copperflower].
          J. W. Humphrey et al., translation of Pliny in Greek & Roman Technology ix. 386
        dyeing
    2. 2.
      Black fabric.
      1. 2.a.
        c1225–
        Black clothing, esp. that worn as a sign of mourning. Also in plural (now Scottish) and occasionally with the sense ‘black or dress trousers’.
        1. c1225 (?c1200)
          Nis ha [sc. Pride] nawt i claðes..þah hit beo merke þrof..oðer hwiles, ah under hwit oðer blac & ase wel under grei ase under grene.
          Hali Meiðhad (Bodleian MS.) (1940) l. 638 (Middle English Dictionary)
        2. a1425 (?a1400)
          And eke as wel by [read be] amourettes In mournyng blak as bright burnettes.
          G. Chaucer, Romaunt of Rose (Hunterian MS.) (1891) l. 4756
        3. c1460
          They were both in blak.
          Ipomedon (Longleat MS.) (1889) 356 (Middle English Dictionary)
        4. a1500
          Fadur, why appere ye thus in black? ar not yowre synnys foryevyn?
          Merchant & Son l. 145 in W. C. Hazlitt, Remains of Early Popular Poetry of England (1864) vol. I. 142
        5. 1579
          Tenne moneths..was the full time they vsed to weare blackes for the death of their fathers.
          T. North, translation of Plutarch, Liues 259
        6. 1636
          Neither are all that weare blackes his mourners.
          D. Featley, Clavis Mystica xix. 247
        7. 1641
          Some to Ministers, as Cassockes, Gownes..Canonicall Coats, Blackes.
          R. Greville, Discourse Nature of Episcopacie i. iv. 17
        8. 1699
          The King..has ordered all his subjects to goe into black.
          N. Luttrell, Diary in Brief Historical Relation of State Affairs (1857) vol. IV. 557
        9. 1728
          If you have Blacks of any kind, brought in of late; Mantoes—Velvet Scarfs—Petticoats—Let it be what it will—I am your Chap—for all my Ladies are very fond of Mourning.
          J. Gay, Beggar's Opera iii. vi. 45
        10. 1748
          Whom dealtest thou with for thy blacks?
          S. Richardson, Clarissa vol. V. xlvi. 326
        11. 1792
          Our Players scarce saw me in my blacks array'd.
          S. Whyte, Coll. Poems (ed. 2) 47
        12. 1837
          A gentleman in black..proceeded to call over the names of the jury.
          C. Dickens, Pickwick Papers xxxiii. 354
        13. 1862
          My old blacks show the white seams so, that you must..rig me out with a new pair.
          W. M. Thackeray, Philip vol. I. 174
        14. 1904
          The duchess was in black with diamanté wings in her hair.
          Daily Chronicle 3 May 6/4
        15. 1920
          But noo when Sunday mornin' comes I hearken for the bell, An' few set oot in runkled blacks mair eager than mysel'.
          C. Murray, In Country Places 15
        16. a1963
          A man in black with a Meinkampf look And a love of the rack and the screw.
          S. Plath, Coll. Poems (1981) 170
        17. 1999
          If he chucks me out now, I'm going to spend the day wearing black and weeping loudly.
          J. Lloyd & E. Rees, Come Together iv. 96
        costumeScottish English
      2. 2.b.
        1537–
        In plural. Hangings of black cloth used in churches, etc., at funerals; funereal drapery. Also occasionally in singular and figurative. Now rare.
        1. 1537
          To ane pursyvant to pas till Dunde to charge the inhabitantis thairof to bring thare blakis to Edinburgh, for the Quenis tyrement.
          in J. B. Paul, Accounts of Treasurer of Scotland (1905) vol. VI. 330
        2. 1608
          Ile pay him agen when he dies, in so many blacks, Ile haue the Church hung round with a noble a yard.
          T. Middleton, Mad World, my Masters ii. sig. Cv
        3. 1611
          Littre,..the blacke wherewith the vpper part of a Church is compassed, at the funerall of a great person.
          R. Cotgrave, Dictionarie of French & English Tongues
        4. 1650
          To a vertuous lady, on whom envy had thrown a scandal, for which she mourned, and hung her chamber with blacks.
          J. Tatham, Ostella 85 (title)
        5. 1652
          Her Heart is hung with Blacks, with Dust she cloyes Her golden Tresses.
          E. Benlowes, Theophila i. 32
        6. 1707
          Dismal Blacks hung round the Universe, And Stars (like Tapers) burn'd upon his Herse.
          Poems on Affairs of State vol. IV. 254
        7. 1710
          The Company of Upholders are not able to furnish Blacks enough for the Deceas'd.
          ‘J. Touchwood’, Quixote Redivivus 16
        8. 1869
          The old court and St Mary's church were hung with blacks, besides escutcheons and many papers of verses.
          T. Baker, Hist. College St. John, Cambridge vol. I. 186
        9. 1997
          All four rooms were hung with blacks.
          J. Woodward, Theatre of Death viii. 149
    3. 3.
      ?c1225–
      Black colour or hue; (as a count noun) a particular variety of black.
      1. ?c1225 (?a1200)
        Bi halde his blac & naut his hwit.
        Ancrene Riwle (Cleopatra MS. C.vi) (1972) 206
      2. a1398
        Þer ben seuene colours, þat strecche fro white toward blake.
        J. Trevisa, translation of Bartholomaeus Anglicus, De Proprietatibus Rerum (British Library Add. MS. 27944) (1975) vol. II. xix. viii. 1277
      3. a1450 (?1420)
        For white is whitter, if it be set bi blak, And swete is swettir eftir bitternes.
        J. Lydgate, Temple of Glas (Tanner MS.) (1891) l. 1250 (Middle English Dictionary)
      4. a1500
        Thai luf nocht to mak of blak quhyt.
        Foly of Fulys & Thewis of Wysmen l. 155 in R. Girvan, Ratis Raving & Other Early Scots Poems (1939) 56
      5. 1578
        [To] mak..blak of that was neuer blew.
        J. Rolland, Seuin Seages 82
      6. 1645
        All his blacks are white.
        S. Rutherford, Tryal & Triumph of Faith iv. 29
      7. 1690
        The Mind perceives, that White is not Black, That a Circle is not a Triangle, That Three are more than Two, and equal to One and Two.
        J. Locke, Essay Humane Understanding iv. ii. 264
      8. 1753
        It is all over of a fine gay red, only that the long-wing feathers are tipped with black at their extremities.
        Chambers's Cyclopædia Suppl.
      9. 1792
        On the top of the abdomen was a round red spot or ocelle encircled with black.
        W. Bartram, Travels North & South Carolina (new edition) Introduction p. xx
      10. 1821
        We must take black and white into our list, as colours with the painter though not with the optician.
        W. M. Craig, Lectures on Drawing iii. 175
      11. 1856
        Veronese's general practice will be..to paint the pattern with one even black.
        J. Ruskin, Modern Painters vol. IV. 45
      12. 1924
        Thus we see..cranberry with black, black with pervenche and tortoise with mahogany.
        Reno (Nevada) Evening Gazette 11 November 4/5
      13. 1956
        The spiked greenery of conifers and rosemary scrub..turns to black when distance drains the colour away.
        ‘I. English’, Every Eye 96
      14. 1994
        For over 167 years the Bank of England £5 note was a large uniface note printed in black on white.
        Coin Collector Issue 8. 8
    4. 4.
      a1387–
      The pupil of the eye; chiefly in black of the eye. Cf. white n. B.8b. Now chiefly historical.
      1. a1387
        Þese hauen in eueriche yȝe tweie blakkes.
        J. Trevisa, translation of R. Higden, Polychronicon (St. John's Cambridge MS.) (1869) vol. II. 189
      2. a1398
        Þe blak of þe yȝe..settiþ in þe middel as a quene.
        J. Trevisa, translation of Bartholomaeus Anglicus, De Proprietatibus Rerum (British Library Add. MS. 27944) (1975) vol. I. v. vii. 185
      3. a1475
        Yf An hauke be wele colowrde..þe blake of þe hye..must Acorde to þe sureyne.
        Dis. Hawk (Harley MS. 2340) f. 28, in Middle English Dict. at Blak
      4. ?1541
        In the region of the blacke of the eye.
        R. Copland, Guy de Chauliac's Questyonary of Cyrurgyens ii. sig. Eiijv
      5. 1565
        The Pupilla..is the blacke of the eye.
        J. Hall, translation of Lanfranc, Most Excellent Woorke Chirurg. iii. vi. 48
      6. 1616
        When the white of the eye is so swollen vpon the blacke, so that a kinde thereof appeareth to hang forth, it is then called Chemosis.
        Treat. Princ. Dis. Eyes in W. Bayley, Two Treat. Preserv. Eie-sight (new edition) vi. 47
      7. 1644
        As big as the black or sight of the eye.
        K. Digby, Two Treatises viii. 53
      8. 1718
        That black little Circle in the Membrane..commonly called, the Black or Apple of the Eye, becomes in a healthy Man smaller in a great Light.
        J. Chamberlayne, translation of B. Nieuwentyt, Religious Philosopher vol. I. xii. 239
      9. 1870
        Schultens supposes it has reference to the little image of a man that is seen in the black of the eye.
        W. Wilson, Bible Student's Guide (ed. 2) 17/2
      10. 1911
        You have the white of the eye and the black of the eye, and it is by means of this dark part of the eye that you are enabled to see.
        P. Radin, translation of L. Ginzberg, Legends of Jews vol. III. 217
      11. 1998
        A needle with a sharp point, but not too slender, is thrust in a straight direction between the black of the eye and the external angle until it reaches the center of the cataract.
        R. S. Jampel in M. L. Kwitko & C. D. Kelman, Hist. Modern Cataract Surgery 20/1
      anatomyhistorical
    5. 5.
      a1400
      † A black creature. Obsolete. rare.
      The precise nature of the creature (a form assumed by the Devil) is unclear in the quot., although it is identified as a crow in the French.
      [It is perhaps possible that this may show a different word, an otherwise unattested variant of bat n.1: compare forms and discussion at that entry.]
      1. a1400 (c1303)
        Come fleyng oute, at here mouþe a blak [French cornaille], Ryȝt as she þe wurde spak... Þat yche blak, y dar wel telle þat hyt was a fende of helle.
        R. Mannyng, Handlyng Synne (Harley MS.) l. 11863
    6. 6.
      In various elliptical uses.
      1. 6.a.
        Chess and Draughts.
        1. 6.a.i.
          1474–
          A black or dark-coloured square on a chessboard; these squares considered collectively.
          1. 1474
            Whether hit be goynge foreward or retornynge fro black to whyte or whyte to black, the pawn must allway goo in his right ligne.
            W. Caxton, translation of Game & Playe of Chesse (1883) iv. vii. 180
          2. a1500 (?a1450)
            Þe quene, that goth fro blak to blak, or fro white to white.
            Gesta Romanorum (Harley MS. 7333) (1879) 71
          3. 1562
            Because of his [sc. the knight's] marching forth, whiche is made from three into three places, to witte, from whyte into blacke, and from black into whyte.
            translation of Damiano da Odemira, Pleasaunt Playe of Cheasts sig. Avv
          4. 1614
            The Bishop blacke in blacke must march..For in the white he may not come.
            A. Saul, Famous Game of Chesse-play To Reader sig. A5
          5. 1775
            The Knights move obliquely..from black to white, and from white to black.
            C. Jones, Hoyle's Games Improved 155
          6. 1804
            When your bishop runs upon white, endeavour to put your pawns upon black, because your bishop then serves to prevent your adversary's king or rook getting between them.
            T. Pruen, Introd. Hist. & Study of Chess viii. 133
          7. 1882
            In this Knight, of irregular movement, leaping from black to white, from white to black, you will recognise, my child, the symbol of ‘opportunism’.
            British Chess Magazine January 8
          8. 1917
            Note also that the Knight always moves to a square of an opposite color, from white to black or from black to white.
            D. A. Mitchell, Chess i. 22
          9. 2005
            If you are the black pieces, put the queen on the remaining black, on the first row.
            C. Morton, How to walk in High Heels 131
          chessdraughts
        2. 6.a.ii.
          1750–
          The player using the black or coloured pieces. Cf. white n. B.13a.ii.
          1. 1750
            The black playeth at present this Knight at his Bishop's third Square.
            ‘A. D. Philidor’, Chess Analysed 87
          2. 1822
            On the Black taking the queen's knight with his bishop, the White must not retake immediately.
            J. Cochrane, Treat. Game of Chess 192
          3. 1837
            Black's fourth move was a very bad one.
            Penny Cyclopaedia vol. VII. 52/1
          4. 1886
            Black could draw now by continuing to check with the Rook.
            Journal Indoor & Outdoor Amusements 17 November 125/2
          5. 1957
            White's King must move, after which Black picks off White's Queen.
            I. A. Horowitz, How to win in Chess Endings 52
          6. 2004
            White's Houdini-like escape is achieved by making such cunning use of his eccentric pawn-formation that Black cannot usefully queen his pawn.
            Chess January 38/3
          chessdraughts
      2. 6.b.
        1793–
        Gambling. The black colour in roulette or rouge et noir. Cf. red n. B.1c.
        1. 1793
          The pontes or punters who sit round the table may stake their money on red or black.
          Faro & Rouge et Noir 62
        2. 1836
          You see the people put money on the table in its different divisions, here to bet on the red, or there on the black.
          American Monthly Magazine October 400
        3. 1868
          I've won a little on the red and black here and there.
          E. Yates, Rock Ahead vol. III. iii. v. 178
        4. 1928
          The even money chances [in the game of rouge et noir] are Rouge or Red, Noir or Black, Coleur [sic] and Inverse.
          M. Carol, How to play Roulette iv. 56
        5. 1950
          The tailleur never mentions the words ‘Black’ or ‘Inverse’, but always says that Red wins or Red loses, and that the colour wins or the colour loses.
          L. H. Dawson, Hoyle's Games Modernized (ed. 20) 291
        6. 1975
          If the opposite characteristic (eg black) comes up, the bet is lost.
          Way to Play 279/1
        7. 2008
          Let's say you are playing the roulette wheel and you hit five reds in a row. Should you stay with red because black is ‘due’?
          Scientific American (U.K. edition) October 24/2
        roulette
      3. 6.c.
        1845–
        Archery. A shot which hits the target in the black ring surrounding the inner white circle.
        1. 1845
          Most centre blacks.
          Hargrove's Anecd. Archery (revised edition) 148
        2. 1859
          The following is a St. Leonard's round, at 60 yards:—28 golds, 37 reds, 7 blues, 3 blacks.
          H. A. Ford, Archery (ed. 2) xiv. 117
        3. 1882
          The Vice-President's Prize to ladies for most blacks.
          Standard 31 August 6/4
        4. 1908
          Miss Barker presented a prize for the most blacks, which was won by Miss Bigland.
          Archer's Reg. 1907–8 149
        5. 1992
          Ties shall be resolved in favor of the archer with the greatest total number of Golds, then Reds, then Blues, then Blacks.
          L. Wise, Bow & Arrow 246
        archery
      4. 6.d.
        1863–
        A black postage stamp.
        Recorded earliest (and most frequently) in penny black n.
        1. 1863
          Penny black, 10d.
          Stamp-collector's Magazine vol. 1 159/2
        2. 1890
          1d. black sheet of 240, used.
          S. C. Skipton, Auction Epitome 1889 28
        3. 1907
          A 12d. black of Canada, 1851.
          Daily Chronicle 12 December 6/6
        4. 1936
          I specialize in the archetype and grandmother of all stamps—the Penny Black of 1840.
          R. Graves, Antigua, Penny, Puce x. 149
        5. 1970
          Over 250 lots of One Penny Blacks, incl. all Plates, many with matched 1d. Reds.
          Times 31 January (Sat. Review) p. v/2 (advertisement)
        postage stamps
      5. 6.e.
        1866–
        In Billiards, Snooker, and similar games: a black ball.
        1. 1866
          If he pocket the black in either of the corner-pockets, he forfeits six points.
          G. F. Pardon, Billiard Book xiii. 209
        2. 1949
          It misses the pyramid altogether and then..bounces off the top cushion to deal the black a glancing blow.
          Punch 9 November 519/1
        3. 1978
          Fagan then rushed a simple black with a straightforward clearance of the colours in prospect.
          Guardian 7 February 20/6
        4. 1988
          Maximum, the compiling of the maximum possible break..by potting fifteen reds, each followed by a black, and then all the colours in the correct sequence.
          I. Morrison, Billiards & Snooker 40/2
        5. 2001
          Taylor potted the black.
          M. Richler, On Snooker vi. 52
        billiards, pool, and snooker
      6. 6.f.
        1882–
        Printing. A blemish on a printed sheet caused by some movable part of the printing apparatus rising to the height of the type.
        1. 1882
          Blacks is a term applied to any mark on a sheet made by pieces of furniture, catches, etc. rising to the level of the form.
          Printing Times February 36/1
        2. 1940
          Black (Typog.), a blemish on a printed sheet caused by a space or lead which has risen to the height of type.
          Chambers's Technical Dictionary 93/2
        3. 1963
          Black, a blemish on a printed sheet caused by leads or spaces rising to type height.
          W. C. Kenneison & A. J. B. Spilman, Dictionary of Printing
        printing and typography
      7. 6.g.
        1962–
        Baseball. [In reference to the black border sometimes formerly used on the home plate.] The (inner or outer) edge of the strike zone.
        to paint the black: to pitch a ball to the inner or outer edge of the strike zone.
        1. 1962
          It was right on the black. So I bitched a little... And he gives me the third strike a couple minutes later.
          J. Brosnan, Pennant Race 37
        2. 1979
          He throws a hundred miles an hour and he's painting the black.
          S. Lyle & P. Golenbock, Bronx Zoo 76
        3. 1987
          There is some discussion among the Seattle players about whether his fastball..is going straight over the middle of the plate or ‘catching the black’—the outer border of the plate.
          S. Fiffer, How to watch Baseball viii. 174
        4. 1994
          Fastball. Right in your kitchen, up and in. In your face. On the black. It's the big pitch of the at-bat, so it's perfect.
          T. Boswell, Cracking Show v. v. 103
        5. 2006
          On pitching... If a guy is painting the black on you consistently, you know that's what he is trying to do.
          G. Gmelch, Inside Pitch iv. 83
    7. 7.
      Italian History.
      1. 7.a.
        ?1585–
        A member or supporter of the Neri, a political faction within the pro-papal Guelph party which was opposed to the Bianchi (the Whites, who later allied themselves with the pro-imperial Ghibelline party), in a feud which began in Pistoia at the end of the 13th cent. and later spread to Florence.
        1. ?1585
          He was declared..a perturber of the peace of the Church, as hauing molested all Italy, with the factions of the Whites, and the Blackes.
          E. Aggas, translation of E. de L'Allouette, Catholicke Apologie ii. f. 83
        2. 1615
          The Donats hauing taken vpon them the protection of the Blacke, and the Cerchi of the White; Florence was wholy diuided into white & Blacke.
          E. Grimeston, translation of P. d'Avity, Estates 474
        3. 1680
          The Guelphs..and the Gibellines,..the Black and the White (as those Two Factions were called).
          C. Ness, Compleat Church-history 428
        4. 1762
          Florence, in a short time, became as much divided between the Whites and the Blacks as Pistoia had been before.
          Modern Part of Universal History vol. XXXVI. iv. 51
        5. 1785
          As both the whites and the blacks were only branches of the Guelfs, or old papal faction, Charles was honourably received by all.
          H. Boyd, Hist. Essays in translation of Dante, Inferno vol. I. 159
        6. 1802
          The blacks and the whites form'd opposite parties which totally disorganized the Republick.
          C. Wilmot, Irish Peer on Continent (1920) 134
        7. 1877
          A quarrel had arisen in Pistoia between the two branches of the Cancellieri,—the Bianchi and Neri, the Whites and the Blacks. The quarrel spread to Florence, the Donati took the side of the Blacks, and Cerchi of the Whites.
          Encyclopædia Britannica vol. VI. 811/2
        8. 1902
          Were you a White and for the people, or a Black and for the nobles?
          Academy 11 October 390/1
        9. 1989
          The victorious Guelphs split into two parties: the Whites, who sought to maintain the integrity and independence of the Republic, and the Blacks.
          B. G. Harrison, Italian Days iii. 148
        politicsRoman Catholic Church
      2. 7.b.
        1861–
        In Italy following unification: a supporter of the Vatican as opponents of the Italian monarchy; an advocate of the restitution to the Pope of sovereignty over territories formerly controlled by him. Now rare.
        In quot. 1861: a supporter of the monarchical party in the former Bourbon kingdoms of Naples and Sicily.
        1. 1861
          At Naples and in Sicily parties will..be divided between the ‘Reds’ and the ‘Blacks’, the Mazzinians and the Bourbonists.
          John Bull 12 January 19/1
        2. 1875
          The ‘Blacks’ and the Irreconcilables act wisely in their generation in avoiding the presence of the Princess Margaret of Savoy, for she is a spell to enchant the most sour papalino.
          John Bull 10 April 235/2
        3. 1903
          His position is that known in Italy as ‘White’, or constitutional, as compared with the clerical ‘Blacks’ and the republican ‘Reds’.
          Daily Chronicle 20 June 3/2
        4. 1909
          Most of the skaters are of the Vatican party... ‘Black’ is the local name.
          Daily Chronicle 29 January 4/6
        5. 1928
          Socially, they refused to mingle with the ‘governmentals’, and it was the supreme social error to invite a ‘black’ and an ‘Italian’ to the same dinner party.
          Harper's Magazine July 203/1
        6. 2005
          The ‘blacks’ of Rome were not the only Catholic aristocracy to move from traditional agricultural and land-holding activities to building speculation and other commercial activities.
          J. F. Pollard, Money & Rise of Modern Papacy iii. 78
        politics
      1. 8.a.
        1593–
        A horse of a black colour.
        1. 1593
          Of colloures these be the best, Browne daple bayes, Bright bayes, Daple grayes, or White lyards, or blackes.
          G. Markham, Disc. Horsmanshippe sig. Gv
        2. 1607
          Your perfire Blacke, your redde Sorrell, and your darke Chesnutte, are much graced, if for a mittigation of their fiercer complexions, they bee accompanied with any white markes.
          G. Markham, Cavelarice ii. i. 4
        3. 1735
          Thus there are pye-bald bays, pye-bald sorrels, and pye-bald blacks.
          Sportsman's Dictionary vol. II. at Pye-bald Horse
        4. 1774
          Long-tail and bob-tail, blacks and sprightly bays, And filthy duns and old flea-bitten greys.
          R. Cumberland, Note of Hand sig. A2
        5. 1846
          Mounting our old black, we determined to give the old soul a parting fire.
          J. J. Hooper, Taking Census in Some Adventures of Simon Suggs i. 153
        6. a1861
          The black was within the corral, pawing the ground.
          T. Winthrop, John Brent (1883) iii. 26
        7. 1932
          Behind me came the horsebacks four abreast—the blacks, the whites, the sorrels, and the buckskins.
          J. G. Neihardt, Black Elk Speaks iii. 31
        8. 1983
          Greys, bays, roans, browns, blacks, and chestnuts... they are all, by the morning light, potential stakes winners, champions, legends.
          P. Gzowski, Unbroken Line i. 15
        horses and riding
      2. 8.b.
        1796–
        A former breed or variety of heavy draught horse developed in England, occurring in various colours, and ancestral to the Shire and the Clydesdale. More fully Old English black. Now historical.
        1. 1796
          The breeds of cart-horses, most in fashion upon our island, at present, are the heavy blacks of the Midland counties, the Suffolk punches, and those of Clydesdale in Northern Britain.
          J. Lawrence, Philosophical & Practical Treatise on Horses vol. I. vi. 295
        2. 1823
          The Cleveland Bay..[is] a distinct race from the English blood horse, and equally distinct from the black or cart breed of the country.
          Farmers Magazine February 50
        3. 1833
          The English draught horses are held in great and merited repute; the three best sorts are the Cleveland bay, the Suffolk punch, and the Old English black or Lincolnshire cart horse.
          translation of C. Malte-Brun, Universal Geography vol. IX. 171
        4. 1883
          The Lincolnshire dray-horse is..the produce of a cross between the old English black and the Flemish horse.
          R. Moreton, On Horse-breaking (ed. 2) 81
        5. 1983
          The breeding of the best of the 'Blacks' was centred on the Fens and adjoining areas such as Leicestershire and Staffordshire, and extending into Derbyshire.
          V. Russell, Heavy Horses of World 98/1
        horses and ridinghistorical
      3. 8.c.
        1839–
        A domestic pigeon of a black variety. Now rare.
        1. [1735
          This Pigeon [sc. the Dutch Tumbler] affords a great Variety of Colours in its Plumage, as blacks, blues, whites, reds, yellows, Duns, Silvers.
          J. Moore, Columbarium 39]
        2. 1839
          I prefer a blue before any other, as I have generally found them hardier and swifter than the blacks and duns.
          New Sporting Magazine June 378
        3. 1855
          A pen of short-faced bald head Tumblers, Blues, Blacks,..of rare quality.
          Poultry Chronicle vol. 2 515/2
        4. 1925
          Blacks must be black, not brown-black or grey-black, but jet-black, with iridescent sheen on every feather from head to tail.
          F. Warner in A. H. Osman, Pigeons xi. 67
        birds
      1. 9.a.
        1607–
        A black speck, esp. a small particle or flake of soot, a smut. Frequently in plural. Cf. bleck n. 2. Now chiefly historical.
        1. 1607
          They also haue litle blackes in the middle of their teeth.
          E. Topsell, Historie of Foure-footed Beastes 331
        2. a1774
          The trifling world around us so fills the air with infection, as the London smoke does with blacks, that we can neither keep ourselves nor our furniture tolerably clean.
          A. Tucker, Light of Nature Pursued (1777) vol. III. ix. 401
        3. 1783
          The black of a bean, Hilum.
          Ainsworth's Thesaurus Linguæ Latinæ (new edition) i. at Bean
        4. c1816
          Let the blamange settle before you turn it into the forms, or the blacks will remain at the bottom.
          Young Woman's Companion 196
        5. 1843
          She carefully covered over..any articles that were likely to be damaged by blacks.
          F. E. Paget, Pageant 84
        6. 1862
          The blacks of the world have settled down upon it.
          E. M. Goulburn, Thoughts on Personal Religion vol. II. ii. vii. 28
        7. 1865
          If you see a black on my nose, tell me so.
          C. Dickens, Our Mutual Friend vol. II. iii. xvi. 149
        8. 1910
          If one keeps the carriage window open, one gets covered with blacks and dust from the execrable small coal that appears to be the specialty of this line.
          E. Davies, State Purchase of Railways (Fabian Tract No. 150) 9
        9. 1939
          Day and night will be filled with the sound of rushing trains, and the air will be fouled with the smoke and blacks of coal.
          A. Gould, Viaduct ii. 27
        10. 1989
          When I commented on how dirty our clothes were, my mother explained that it was caused by the London blacks from the coal burning in the many chimneys.
          C. Palliser, Quincunx xxix. 146
        historical
      2. 9.b.
        1684–
        A deposit of dirt on the body, esp. under the fingernails. Also figurative.
        1. 1684
          There is a Sun can wake the day, Out of this dismal Night: Then shall my black be washed off.
          J. Reeve, Spiritual Hymns upon Solomons Song 15
        2. 1700
          I love the little black of the Nail of my Soul, better than my whole Body.
          J. Stevens, translation of M. de Cervantes, Don Quixote vol. II. xliii. 247
        3. 1753
          You say this land belongs to you, but there is not the Black of my Nail yours.
          G. Washington, Diary (1925) vol. I. 49
        4. 1860
          Aw ha'e wesht baith maw feet frae the black.
          J. P. Robson, Song of Solomon v. 16
        5. 1889
          He weant pairt wi' t'black afore his finger-nails.
          Brighouse News 14 September
        6. 1952
          He plugs the sink and runs the water..and washes the black from his arms and his neck and his face.
          M. Harris, City of Discontent ii. i. 148
        7. 2006
          They couldn't wash the black from their hands, not that they gave it much of an effort.
          W. H. Henderson, Augusta Locke 250
      3. 9.c.
        1844–
        In plural. A dark-coloured fungus which attacks cereal crops, esp. one of the genus Ustilago; a smut (smut n. 1a). Now rare.
        1. 1844
          In England it is best known by the names of blacks, brand, or burnt-ear.
          Farmer's Magazine June 618/1
        2. 1883
          Who has not observed the smut, or blacks, among corn?
          Good Words vol. 24 735
        3. 1920
          They discovered, also, that this same fungus is responsible for part of the heavy spoilage of canned corn, known to commercial canners as ‘blacks’.
          Weekly News Letter (U.S. Department of Agriculture) 23 June 10/1
        agriculturefungi
    10. 10.
      1614–
      Also with capital initial. A member of any dark-skinned group of peoples, esp. a person of sub-Saharan African origin or descent. Also (esp. Australian): a person of Australian Aboriginal origin or descent.
      See note at sense A.I.3a for comments on the usage of this sense. In some contexts the noun is now felt to carry disrespectful overtones and is therefore avoided in favour of a phrase using the adjective, as ‘a black person’, or (according to context) an alternative such as ‘an African American’.
      1. 1614
        The 5th ditto came in a ship from Mollacco with 28 Portugals and 36 Blacks.
        G. Cokayne, Letter 24 April in W. Foster, Letters received by East India Co. (1897) vol. II. 31
      2. 1625
        The mouth of the Riuer [Gambra], where dwell the Blackes, called Mandingos.
        S. Purchas, Pilgrimes vol. II. ix. xiii. 1570
      3. 1682
        This Gyant was King of the Blacks or Negroes.
        J. Bunyan, Holy War 5
      4. 1705
        Of the Origine of all Nations, from Noah and his Sons..he shews that all the Blacks (of Africa and America) sprang from the same stock with our selves.
        W. Nicolson, Diary 31 December in London Diaries (1985) 344
      5. 1749
        Among the Blacks in this Country are some that are called Obeah Negroes.
        R. Poole, Journal 17 March in Beneficent Bee (1753) 300/1
      6. 1789
        The Adaulet of Benares..now held by a Black named Alii Cann.
        George, Prince of Wales, Letter 30 May in Lord Cornwallis, Correspondence (1859) vol. II. 28
      7. 1805
        They exclude from suffrage the blacks and the paupers.
        Annual Review vol. 3 289
      8. 1856
        The free black does not, in general, feel himself superior to the slave.
        F. L. Olmsted, Journey in Slave States 129
      9. 1929
        If I were to remark that old Blossom was a bungoona nanta I'd really mean to convey to you, in the lingo of the blacks, that Bloss was a jolly good old horse.
        ‘A. Russell’, Bungoona 7
      10. 1968
        I sometimes get the weird sensation that to the Whites who sit in their offices dreaming up new gimmicks to harass us and deciding where they should kick us out of or into next, we Blacks are not even people.
        J. Mayet in Drum September 8
      11. 2004
        Those blacks who remained poor and disempowered were viewed as having failed to take advantage of their definitionally equal status.
        New Yorker 3 May 105/1
      Australian English