Definition

1. Noun:

   • A wash that colors a surface black: A liquid preparation used to paint or dye a surface the color black.
   • A mixture of calomel and limewater used on syphilitic sores: A historical medicinal preparation applied topically.
   • An attack intended to ruin someone's reputation: A deliberate effort to damage someone's good name by revealing or inventing discreditable information.

2. Verb:

   • To color with blackwash: To apply a black liquid to a surface.
   • To bring (information) out of concealment: To reveal previously hidden or secret information, often of a damaging nature.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The old fence was given a coat of blackwash. (The surface was colored black using the liquid.)
  • In the 19th century, a doctor might apply a blackwash to a sore. (The medicinal mixture was used as a treatment.)
  • The article was nothing but a vicious blackwash of the candidate's character. (The writing was a reputational attack.)

• Verb:

  • They decided to blackwash the wooden beams for a dramatic effect. (They colored the beams black.)
  • The journalist vowed to blackwash the corruption scandal. (The journalist aimed to reveal the concealed scandal.)

Advanced Usage

• "to engage in blackwash": to participate in a campaign of character assassination.
  • The political campaign devolved into each side trying to blackwash the other.

Variants and Related Words

• Blackening (n): The act of making something black or damaging a reputation.
• Calomel (n): Mercurous chloride, a component of the medicinal blackwash.
• Limewater (n): A saturated solution of calcium hydroxide, a component of the medicinal blackwash.

Synonyms

• Noun (for reputational attack): Smear, defamation, vilification, character assassination.
• Verb (to reveal): Expose, uncover, disclose, reveal.

Related Phrases

• To whitewash (v): The conceptual opposite in reputational contexts, meaning to conceal faults or present a falsely favorable image.

Noun

1. a wash that colors a surface black
2. a mixture of calomel and limewater that is used on syphilitic sores
3. an attack intended to ruin someone's reputation

Verb

1. color with blackwash
2. bring (information) out of concealment