From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
blanket
adj 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" [syn:
across-the-board, all-embracing, all-encompassing,
all-inclusive, {blanket(a)}, broad, encompassing,
extensive, panoptic, wide]
n 1: bedding that keeps a person warm in bed; "he pulled the
covers over his head and went to sleep" [syn: blanket,
cover]
2: anything that covers; "there was a blanket of snow" [syn:
blanket, mantle]
3: a layer of lead surrounding the highly reactive core of a
nuclear reactor
v 1: cover as if with a blanket; "snow blanketed the fields"
2: form a blanket-like cover (over)
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Blanket \Blan"ket\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Blanketed; p. pr. &
vb. n. Blanketing.]
1. To cover with a blanket.
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I'll . . . blanket my loins. --Shak.
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2. To toss in a blanket by way of punishment.
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We'll have our men blanket 'em i' the hall. --B.
Jonson.
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3. To take the wind out of the sails of (another vessel) by
sailing to windward of her.
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Blanket cattle. See Belted cattle, under Belted.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Blanket \Blan"ket\, n. [F. blanchet, OF. also blanket, a woolen
waistcoat or shirt, the blanket of a printing press; prop.
white woolen stuff, dim. of blanc white; blanquette a kind of
white pear, fr. blanc white. See Blank, a.]
1. A heavy, loosely woven fabric, usually of wool, and having
a nap, used in bed clothing; also, a similar fabric used
as a robe; or any fabric used as a cover for a horse.
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2. (Print.) A piece of rubber, felt, or woolen cloth, used in
the tympan to make it soft and elastic.
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3. A streak or layer of blubber in whales.
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Note: The use of blankets formerly as curtains in theaters
explains the following figure of Shakespeare. --Nares.
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Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark
To cry, "Hold, hold!" --Shak.
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Blanket sheet, a newspaper of folio size.
A wet blanket, anything which damps, chills, dispirits, or
discour?ges.
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