blanket English · revision 8030

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1300|origins=fro blanc}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈblæŋ.kɪt/; /ˈbleɪ̯ŋ.kɪt/, /ˈblɛ̃ŋ.kɪt/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English blaunket, [[bor|fro|blanchet|t=light wool or flannel cloth]], blanquet,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) a diminutive of blanc, white (see [[blank]]), which also meant a white cloth.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Coarse white woollen stuff for clothing: about 1300, now obsolete.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A bed covering is first recorded in 1303 (1346 in the OED),^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) and it was also used as a cover for horses.^(Etymonline) Figurative use is from 1605.^(OED 1989) The verb, to cover with a blanket, and to toss in a blanket as a punishment, is from about 1600.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) ''A wet blanket'', a person who dampens enjoyment, is from 1771.^(OED 1989) As an adjective, covering many contingencies, as in a ''blanket clause'', it is from 1885–86.^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline) A ''blanket Indian'' (1859) was one who wore the traditional garment rather than Western dress.^(Etymonline) A large number of bombs dropped over a wide area is from 1944.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1300 – woollen stuff.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1303 – a bed covering.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1600 – the verb.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1771 – a wet blanket.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1886 – blanket clause.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A large piece of thick woven cloth used as a covering for warmth, especially on a bed.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A covering layer: ''a blanket of snow''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Covering all cases or conditions; [[comprehensive]]: ''a blanket ban''.^(AHD)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To cover with or as if with a blanket.^(AHD)

+ # To suppress or extinguish by covering.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[blanketlike]]

+ * [[blanketless]]

+ * [[unblanketed]]

+ * [[blanketflower]]

+ * [[blanket-stitch]]

+ * [[wet-blanket]]

+ * [[blanket chest]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[blank]]

+ * [[blanch]]

+ * [[bleach]]

+ * [[flannel]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}