Definition of blot out

The phrase "blot out" can be traced back to the Middle English verb "bloten," which means "to blur," "to smear," or "to spoil." This verb is derived from the Middle English noun "blotte," which refers to a damp spot or a stain. In its original sense, "blot out" denoted the act of making something illegible or unreadable by blurring or smearing it. For example, if someone accidentally spilled ink on a manuscript, they might say that they had "blotted it out." This sense of the phrase can still be seen in modern usage, where "blot out" may refer to covering up a message or image with a darker or more opaque substance. Around the 15th century, the meaning of "blot out" began to shift, incorporating a broader sense of obliteration or removal. This expanded definition reflects the changing context in which the phrase was used, as people began to apply it to general concepts and ideas rather than just specific texts or images. For example, in the author John Bunyan's 17th-century allegorical work "The Pilgrim's Progress," he writes that "the Lord chose out the men whom he was pleased to make to himself a glorious people, and blotted out the names of them which were not written in the Lamb's book of life." Here, "blot out" does not refer to a physical object or image, but rather to the act of removing someone from a divine list or register. In modern usage, "blot out" is commonly employed in contexts that involve erasing, eliminating, or forgetting something unwanted, whether it be a memory, a sound, or a vision. It still carries elements of its Middle English origins, however, as evidenced by its use to describe the blocking of sunlight or the darkening of areas on photographic negatives. Overall, "blot out" has long been a versatile and evocative phrase, capable of expressing a range of ideas and emotions.