whitewash

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   A mixture of a powdered mineral substance (often slaked lime (containing calcium…

   A mixture of a powdered mineral substance (often slaked lime (containing calcium hydroxide), chalk (calcium carbonate), or both) and water which is used for painting surfaces such as fences and walls bright white.

   • For walls plaster gave a smooth white surface; or if it was not sufficiently white, or had become discoloured, it could be brightened up with a coat of whitewash or paint.
2. 2

   A thing used to hide mistakes, or to create an appearance of honesty, propriety, etc.

   A thing used to hide mistakes, or to create an appearance of honesty, propriety, etc.; also (often politics), an act of hiding mistakes or creating an appearance of honesty, propriety, etc.; especially, a campaign, investigation, etc., which intentionally hides or overlooks unfavourable facts.

3. 3

   An act of clearing a person's debts, especially through a declaration of bankruptcy by a…

   An act of clearing a person's debts, especially through a declaration of bankruptcy by a court.

4. ›+ 16 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      A complete victory or series of victories without suffering any losses

      A complete victory or series of victories without suffering any losses; a clean sweep; also, a victory or series of victories by a very large margin.

      • For the first time in a long time, Australia are being threatened with the prospect of a 5-0 whitewash
   2. 5

      The most basic type of thickening agent, consisting of flour blended with water to make a…

      The most basic type of thickening agent, consisting of flour blended with water to make a paste.

   3. 6

      A preparation for making the skin look lighter.

      • I have heard a whole Sermon against a White-wash.
   4. 7

      Any of several medicinal preparations for treating skin diseases consisting of a mixture…

      Any of several medicinal preparations for treating skin diseases consisting of a mixture of a metallic compound (such as one of lead, sulfur, or zinc) and water.

   5. 8

      White wine, especially Madeira or sherry, drunk after dinner or after taking claret and…

      White wine, especially Madeira or sherry, drunk after dinner or after taking claret and port; (countable) a glass of such wine.

      • The bottles, however, were port bottles, but contained mushroom ketchup; and we can only say with regard to the 15s. sherry, that it would have made an admirable "whitewash," as Sheridan's glass is still sometimes called, […]
      • Sercial was also used as a sort of white-wash after the Port at dinner, those were the days when people had time to drink both Port and a White wash.
   6. 9

      To paint (a building, a wall, etc.) a bright white with whitewash (noun sense 1).

      • The houses looked very bright after they had whitewashed the whole neighbourhood.
      • Provided that any such window or skylight may be whitewashed or shaded for the purpose of mitigating heat or glare.
   7. 10

      To distort or give a misleading account of (history, a narrative, etc.) by discounting…

      To distort or give a misleading account of (history, a narrative, etc.) by discounting the participation of people of colour and focusing on white people.

      • Sofia Coppola's The Beguiled cuts the book's black characters, whitewashing its tale of the Civil War–era South. At this point, that's hardly a surprise. [subtitle]
   8. 11

      To cover or coat (something) with a white substance, as if with whitewash (noun sense 1)

      To cover or coat (something) with a white substance, as if with whitewash (noun sense 1); also, to light up (something) with white light.

   9. 12

      To clear (someone's) debts, especially through a declaration of bankruptcy by a court

      To clear (someone's) debts, especially through a declaration of bankruptcy by a court; also, to clear or write off (a debt).

   10. 13

       To hide (someone's) mistakes, or to create an appearance of honesty, propriety, etc., for…

       To hide (someone's) mistakes, or to create an appearance of honesty, propriety, etc., for (someone); also, to intentionally hide or overlook (mistakes, unfavourable facts, wrongdoing, etc.).

       • In his sermon, the minister didn’t try to whitewash over the sins of his church.
   11. 14

       To achieve a complete victory or series of victories over (an opponent) without suffering…

       To achieve a complete victory or series of victories over (an opponent) without suffering any losses; also, to achieve a victory or series of victories over (an opponent) by a very large margin.

       • Australia whitewashed the West Indies 3–0.
   12. 15

       To make (the face, etc.) look lighter with makeup or a similar preparation.

   13. 16

       Synonym of bleach (“to treat (fabric) with a substance which lightens or whitens”).

   14. 17

       To paint bright white with whitewash (noun sense 1).

   15. 18

       To have debts cleared through a declaration of bankruptcy by a court.

   16. 19

       Of bricks

       Of bricks: to become encrusted with a white layer of soluble salts due to efflorescence.

The neighborhood

• neighborcolourwash