bleach

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: bleaching agentblanching agentwhitenerbleach outdecolordecolourdecolorizedecolourizedecolorisedecolourisediscolorizediscolourise

WordNet 3.0

Noun (3)

  1. the whiteness that results from removing the color from something“a complete bleach usually requires several applications”
  2. an agent that makes things white or colorlessSynonyms: bleaching agentblanching agentwhitener
  3. the act of whitening something by bleaching it (exposing it to sunlight or using a chemical bleaching agent)

Verb (2)

  1. remove color from“The sun bleached the red shirt”Synonyms: bleach outdecolordecolourdecolorizedecolourizedecolorisedecolourisediscolorizediscolourisediscolorise
  2. make whiter or lighter“bleach the laundry”
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Bleach \Bleach\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bleached; p. pr. & vb. n. Bleaching.] [OE. blakien, blechen, v. t. & v. i., AS. bl[=a]cian, bl?can, to grow pale; akin to Icel. bleikja, Sw. bleka, Dan. blege, D. bleeken, G. bleichen, AS. bl[=a]c pale. See Bleak, a.] To make white, or whiter; to remove the color, or stains, from; to blanch; to whiten. [1913 Webster]

The destruction of the coloring matters attached to the bodies to be bleached is effected either by the action of the air and light, of chlorine, or of sulphurous acid. --Ure. [1913 Webster]

Immortal liberty, whose look sublime Hath bleached the tyrant's cheek in every varying clime. --Smollett. [1913 Webster]

Bleach \Bleach\, v. i. To grow white or lose color; to whiten. [1913 Webster]
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