Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary полностью

2 N‑COUNT If someone is given a blank cheque , they are given the authority to do what they think is best in a particular situation. [JOURNALISM ] □  America should not be given a blank cheque to do whatever it wants.

blan|ket /blæ ŋk I t/ (blankets , blanketing , blanketed )

1 N‑COUNT A blanket is a large square or rectangular piece of thick cloth, especially one which you put on a bed to keep you warm.

2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A blanket of something such as snow is a continuous layer of it which hides what is below or beyond it. □ [+ of ] The mud disappeared under a blanket of snow. □ [+ of ] Cold damp air brought in the new year under a blanket of fog.

3 VERB If something such as snow blankets an area, it covers it. □ [V n] More than a foot of snow blanketed parts of Michigan.

4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use blanket to describe something when you want to emphasize that it affects or refers to every person or thing in a group, without any exceptions. [EMPHASIS ] □  It is tempting to support a blanket ban on junk food advertising.

5 → see also electric blanket , security blanket , wet blanket

bla nk ve rse N‑UNCOUNT Blank verse is poetry that does not rhyme. In English literature it usually consists of lines with five stressed syllables.

blare /bleə ^r / (blares , blaring , blared ) VERB If something such as a siren or radio blares or if you blare it, it makes a loud, unpleasant noise. □ [V ] The fire engines were just pulling up, sirens blaring. □ [V n] I blared my horn. ● N‑SING Blare is also a noun. □ [+ of ] …the blare of a radio through a thin wall. ● PHRASAL VERB Blare out means the same as blare . □ [V P ] Music blares out from every cafe. □ [V P n] …giant loudspeakers which blare out patriotic music and the speeches of their leader. [Also V n P ]

blar|ney /blɑː ^r ni/ N‑UNCOUNT Blarney is things someone says that are flattering and amusing but probably untrue, and which you think they are only saying in order to please you or to persuade you to do something. [DISAPPROVAL ]

bla|sé /blɑː ze I , [AM ] blɑːze I / also blase ADJ If you describe someone as blasé , you mean that they are not easily impressed, excited, or worried by things, usually because they have seen or experienced them before. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ about ] Far too many people are blasé about their driving skills. □  …his seemingly blasé attitude.

blas|pheme /blæsfiː m/ (blasphemes , blaspheming , blasphemed ) VERB If someone blasphemes , they say rude or disrespectful things about God or religion, or they use God's name as a swear word. □ [V ] 'Don't blaspheme,' my mother said. □ [V + against ] He had blasphemed against the Mother of God. ●  blas|phem|er (blasphemers ) N‑COUNT □  Such a figure is liable to be attacked as a blasphemer.

blas|phe|mous /blæ sfəməs/ ADJ You can describe someone who shows disrespect for God or a religion as blasphemous . You can also describe what they are saying or doing as blasphemous . □  She was accused of being blasphemous. □  Critics attacked the film as blasphemous.

blas|phe|my /blæ sfəmi/ (blasphemies ) N‑VAR You can describe something that shows disrespect for God or a religion as blasphemy . □  He was found guilty of blasphemy and sentenced to three years in jail.

blast ◆◇◇ /blɑː st, blæ st/ (blasts , blasting , blasted )

1 N‑COUNT A blast is a big explosion, especially one caused by a bomb. □  250 people were killed in the blast.