blind English · revision 4736

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=c. 725|origins=gem-pro *blindaz}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /blaɪnd/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|blind]], [[inh|ang|blind|t=sightless; dark, obscure; unintelligent]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[gem-pro|*blindaz]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) also the source of Old Frisian and Old Saxon blind, German and Dutch blind, Old Norse blindr and Gothic blinds.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) It is from [[ine-pro|*bʰlendʰ-|alt=*bhlendh-]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) seen also in Latvian blendu “I see dimly” and Old Church Slavonic blędǫ “I go blindly”,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) and Etymonline relates it to *bhel- “to shine, flash”, through the notion of making cloudy or deceiving.^(Etymonline) Some connect it with Old English blandan “to mix”, the source of [[blend]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) It is related to [[blunder]].^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Sightless: about 725 in Barnhart, in an early version of Genesis;^(Barnhart 1988) the word already had both literal and figurative senses in Old English,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Cresswell 2021) such as “refusing to see”, especially in religion, and “unintelligent”.^(Cresswell 2021) Etymonline suggests the original sense was “confused” rather than “sightless”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Not controlled by reason, as in ''blind rage'', was also Old English.^(Etymonline) ''Blind alley'' (1580s) is older than the sense “closed at one end” (1610s).^(Etymonline) Without an opening for light, as in a ''blind wall'', is from about 1600.^(Etymonline) The noun, a blind person, is late Old English;^(Etymonline) a place of concealment for a hunter is from the 1640s,^(Etymonline) and a covering for a window from 1730 in Barnhart, the early 18th century in Word Origins.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Cresswell 2021) ''Turn a blind eye'' is late 17th century.^(Cresswell 2021) Acting without investigating first is by 1840, and flying without instruments from 1919.^(Etymonline) The verb, to make blind, replaced Old English blendan.^(Hoad 1986)^(Barnhart 1988) ''Blinder'' is from 1809, American English.^(Barnhart 1988) ''Blind someone with science'' is from 1937, from Australia and New Zealand.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 725 – sightless; also figurative.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * a. 1225 – verb, ''blinden''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1580s – ''blind alley''.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1600 – without an opening.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1640s – a hunter's hiding place.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1730 – a window covering.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1840 – acting without investigation.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1919 – of flying without instruments.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Unable to see.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Unwilling or unable to notice or understand: ''blind to the risks''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Not based on reason or judgement: ''blind faith''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Hidden from sight: ''a blind corner''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Done without seeing or without information: ''a blind test''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Closed at one end; without openings: ''a blind alley''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To make blind, permanently or for a short time.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To stop someone from understanding or judging clearly.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A covering for a [[window]], such as a roller blind or [[Venetian blind]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A shelter from which hunters can watch without being seen.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Something that hides the real nature of an activity.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Adverb===

+ # Without being able to see, or completely, as in ''blind drunk''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[blindingly]]

+ * [[blindly]]

+ * [[blindness]]

+ * [[miniblind]]

+ * [[blinder]]

+ * [[blinding]]

+ * [[Venetian blind]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[blend]]

+ * [[blunder]]

+ * [[blindfold]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}