bleach (blēch)

v., bleached, bleach·ing, bleach·es.

v.tr.

1. To remove the color from, as by means of chemical agents or sunlight.
2. To make white or colorless.

v.intr.
To become white or colorless.

n.

1. A chemical agent used for bleaching.
2. 1. The act of bleaching.
   2. The degree of bleaching obtained.

[Middle English blechen, from Old English blǣcan.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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