bleach

[ bleech ]
/ blitʃ /

verb (used with object)

to make whiter or lighter in color, as by exposure to sunlight or a chemical agent; remove the color from.
Photography. to convert (the silver image of a negative or print) to a silver halide, either to remove the image or to change its tone.

verb (used without object)

to become whiter or lighter in color.

noun

a bleaching agent.
degree of paleness achieved in bleaching.
an act of bleaching.

Origin of bleach

before 1050; Middle English blechen, Old English blǣcean, derivative of blāc pale; cognate with Old Norse bleikja, Old High German bleichēn

OTHER WORDS FROM bleach

Example sentences from the Web for unbleached

British Dictionary definitions for unbleached (1 of 2)

unbleached
/ (ʌnˈbliːtʃt) /

adjective

not having been made or become white or lighter through exposure to sunlight or by the action of chemical agents, etc

British Dictionary definitions for unbleached (2 of 2)

bleach
/ (bliːtʃ) /

verb

to make or become white or colourless, as by exposure to sunlight, by the action of chemical agents, etc

noun

a bleaching agent
the degree of whiteness resulting from bleaching
the act of bleaching

Derived forms of bleach

bleachable, adjective bleacher, noun

Word Origin for bleach

Old English blǣcan; related to Old Norse bleikja, Old High German bleih pale

Scientific definitions for unbleached

bleach
[ blēch ]

A chemical agent used to whiten or remove color from textiles, paper, food, and other substances and materials. Chlorine, sodium hypochlorite, and hydrogen peroxide are bleaches. Bleaches remove color by oxidation or reduction.