blank

blank · adjective, noun, verb¹

1. Proto-Indo-European · derived from*bʰleyǵ-“to shine”
2. Proto-Germanic · derived from*blankaz“white, bright, blinding”
3. Frankish · derived from*blank“gleaming, white, blinding”
4. Old French · derived fromblanc
5. Middle English · inherited fromblank
6. English todayblank

From Middle English blank, blonc, blaunc, blaunche, from Anglo-Norman blonc, blaunc, blaunche, from Old French blanc, feminine blanche, from Frankish *blank (“gleaming, white, blinding”), from Proto-Germanic *blankaz (“white, bright, blinding”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰleyǵ- (“to shine”). Akin to Old High German blanch (“shining, bright, white”) (German blank), Old English blanc (“white, grey”), blanca (“white steed”), Spanish blanco. More at blink, blind, blanch. Doublet of blanc.

Blank · proper noun²

* As a Dutch and German surname, from the adjective blank (“shining, pale, white”). * As an English and Jewish surname, spelling variant of Blanc, Blanck.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• 15th–17th century A small French coin, originally of silver, afterwards of copper, worth 5 deniers; also a silver coin of Henry V current in the parts of France then held by the English, worth about 8 pence.
• since the 16th century The white spot in the centre of a target; hence (figuratively) the object to which anything is directed or aimed, the range of such aim.
• since the 16th century A space to be filled in on a form or template.
• since the 16th century Provisional words printed in italics (instead of blank spaces) in a bill before Parliament, being matters of practical detail, of which the final form is to be settled in committee.
• since the 16th century A document, paper, or form with spaces left blank to be filled in at the pleasure of the person to whom it is given (e.g. a blank charter, ballot, form, contract, etc.), or as the event may determine; a blank form.
• since the 16th century An empty form without substance; anything insignificant; nothing at all.
• since the 16th century An unprinted leaf of a book.
• since the 16th century Blank verse.