Blotting out (blɒtɪŋ aʊt) is a commonly used phrase which means to obscure or cover up something entirely. The spelling of the word "blotting" comes from the base word "blot" which means to stain or smudge. The gerund suffix "-ing" is added to the end of the word "blot" to create "blotting" which refers to the act of staining or smudging. The preposition "out" is added to the end of "blotting" to create the phrase "blotting out."
Blotting out is a phrase that refers to the act of covering, concealing, or erasing something completely or entirely. It can be used in various contexts, both literal and metaphorical.
In a literal sense, blotting out is commonly associated with removing or obscuring marks, stains, or ink from a surface by absorbing or covering them with a blotting paper or cloth. For example, when ink spills on a piece of paper, one can blot it out by pressing a blotting paper against the stained area, which absorbs the ink and removes the mark.
Metaphorically, the term is used to describe the act of erasing, obliterating, or extinguishing something from existence or memory. It can pertain to eliminating or suppressing unwanted thoughts, memories, or emotions. For instance, someone might try to blot out a traumatic experience by focusing on positive thoughts or engaging in distractions.
In other contexts, blotting out may refer to completely overshadowing or eclipsing something, thus rendering it insignificant or unnoticeable. This can apply to a person's achievements being so remarkable that they appear to outshine others' accomplishments, or an event that becomes so noteworthy that it obscures other concurrent activities.
Overall, the term "blotting out" encapsulates the idea of completely obliterating or covering something, be it physical marks, memories, emotions, or the overshadowing of another entity by something more prominent.
The phrase "blotting out" is derived from the verb "blot" which came into English from Middle English "blotten". The Middle English term evolved from Old Norse "brot", meaning a 'spot' or 'blot'. In turn, "brot" likely originated from the Proto-Germanic word "*brutaną", meaning 'to break' or 'to shatter'.
Over time, the meaning of "blot" expanded to include the act of marking out or obliterating something by staining or covering it. Thus, "blotting out" refers to the process of wiping out or erasing something completely, similar to how ink blots can obscure the text.