blanket

/'blæɳkit/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
blanket

A child snuggles under a warm blanket at bedtime.

Definition
  1. Noun:

    • A large piece of soft fabric used as bedding for warmth: A thick, often rectangular covering, typically made of wool or other material, used on a bed to provide warmth.
    • A layer that covers something completely: A continuous, unbroken layer or covering that extends over a surface or area.
  2. Verb:

    • To cover something completely with a layer: To form a continuous layer over a surface, often obscuring what is beneath.
    • To stifle or suppress something: To muffle or deaden, as in sound.
  3. Adjective:

    • Applying to all cases or instances without exception: Covering or affecting all members of a group or all situations in a broad, comprehensive manner.
Examples of Usage
  • Noun:

    • She wrapped herself in a warm blanket.
    • A thick blanket of fog covered the valley.
  • Verb:

    • Fresh snow blanketed the town overnight.
    • The loud music blanketed all other sounds in the room.
  • Adjective:

    • The company issued a blanket ban on personal phone calls.
    • They offered a blanket apology to all affected customers.
Advanced Usage
  • "A wet blanket" (idiomatic noun phrase): A person who spoils the enjoyment of others by being gloomy, disapproving, or unenthusiastic.

    • Don't be such a wet blanket; come and join the party!
  • "To be born on the wrong side of the blanket" (idiomatic phrase): An old-fashioned expression meaning to be born to parents who are not married to each other.

Variants and Related Words
  • Electric blanket (noun): A blanket with an integrated electrical heating element.
  • Security blanket (noun): Literally, a blanket carried by a child for comfort; figuratively, anything that provides a person with a sense of security.
  • Blanket stitch (noun): A sturdy stitch used to finish the edges of blankets or other thick fabrics.
Synonyms
  • Noun (for covering): Cover, layer, cloak, mantle, sheet.
  • Verb (to cover): Cover, cloak, shroud, envelop, carpet.
  • Adjective (comprehensive): Comprehensive, all-inclusive, sweeping, across-the-board, general.
Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases
  • To blanket (something) with (something): To cover something completely with a particular substance or thing.
    • The media blanketed the airwaves with news of the election.
Related Idioms
  • To throw/put a wet blanket on/over something/someone: To discourage enthusiasm or excitement; to dampen spirits.
    • His criticism put a wet blanket on our plans for celebration.
blanket

A child snuggles under a warm blanket at bedtime.

Adjective
  1. broad in scope or content
    • across-the-board pay increases
    • an all-embracing definition
    • blanket sanctions against human-rights violators
    • an invention with broad applications
    • a panoptic study of Soviet nationality- T.G.Winner
    • granted him wide powers
Noun
  1. a layer of lead surrounding the highly reactive core of a nuclear reactor
  2. anything that covers
    • there was a blanket of snow
  3. bedding that keeps a person warm in bed
    • he pulled the covers over his head and went to sleep
Verb
  1. form a blanket-like cover (over)
  2. cover as if with a blanket
    • snow blanketed the fields