Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary полностью

blee d|ing e dge The spelling bleeding-edge is used for meaning 2 . 1 N‑SING If you are at the bleeding edge of a particular field of activity, you are involved in its most advanced or most exciting developments. □  McNally has spent 17 years at the bleeding edge of computing.

2 ADJ Bleeding-edge equipment or technology is the most advanced that there is in a particular field. □  …an RAF facility with bleeding-edge electronics and communications systems.

blee d|ing hea rt (bleeding hearts ) also bleeding-heart N‑COUNT [oft N n] If you describe someone as a bleeding heart , you are criticizing them for being sympathetic towards people who are poor and suffering, without doing anything practical to help. [DISAPPROVAL ] □  I'm not a bleeding heart liberal.

bleep /bliː p/ (bleeps , bleeping , bleeped )

1 N‑COUNT A bleep is a short, high-pitched sound, usually one of a series, that is made by an electrical device. [mainly BRIT ]

2 VERB If something electronic bleeps , it makes a short, high-pitched sound. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V ] When we turned the boat about, the signal began to bleep again constantly.

bleep|er /bliː pə ^r / (bleepers ) N‑COUNT A bleeper is the same as a beeper . [BRIT , INFORMAL ]

blem|ish /ble m I ʃ/ (blemishes , blemishing , blemished )

1 N‑COUNT A blemish is a small mark on something that spoils its appearance. □  Every piece is inspected, and if there is the slightest blemish on it, it is rejected.

2 N‑COUNT A blemish on something is a small fault in it. □ [+ on ] This is the one blemish on an otherwise resounding success.

3 VERB If something blemishes someone's character or reputation, it spoils it or makes it seem less good than it was in the past. □ [V n] He wasn't about to blemish that pristine record.

blem|ished /ble m I ʃt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use blemished to describe something such as someone's skin or a piece of fruit when its appearance is spoiled by small marks. □  …a skin tonic for oily, blemished complexions.

blend /ble nd/ (blends , blending , blended )

1 VERB If you blend substances together or if they blend , you mix them together so that they become one substance. □ [V n + with ] Blend the butter with the sugar and beat until light and creamy. □ [V n] Blend the ingredients until you have a smooth cream. □ [V ] Put the soap and water in a pan and leave to stand until they have blended.

2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A blend of things is a mixture or combination of them that is useful or pleasant. □ [+ of ] The public areas offer a subtle blend of traditional charm with modern amenities.

3 VERB When colours, sounds, or styles blend , they come together or are combined in a pleasing way. □ [V ] You could paint the walls and ceilings the same colour so they blend together. □ [V + with ] …the picture, furniture and porcelain collections that blend so well with the house itself.

4 VERB If you blend ideas, policies, or styles, you use them together in order to achieve something. □ [V n + with ] The Glasgow-based cartoonist is a master at blending humour with the macabre. □ [V n] …a band that blended jazz, folk and classical music.

▸  blend in or blend into

1 PHRASAL VERB If something blends into the background, it is so similar to the background that it is difficult to see or hear it separately. □ [V P + with ] The toad had changed its colour to blend in with its new environment. □ [V P n] …a continuous pale neutral grey, almost blending into the sky.