blem|ished /ble m I ʃt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use blemished to describe something such as someone's skin or a piece of fruit when its appearance is spoiled by small marks. □ …a skin tonic for oily, blemished complexions.
blend /ble nd/ (blends , blending , blended )
1 VERB If you blend substances together or if they blend , you mix them together so that they become one substance. □ [V n + with ] Blend the butter with the sugar and beat until light and creamy. □ [V n] Blend the ingredients until you have a smooth cream. □ [V ] Put the soap and water in a pan and leave to stand until they have blended.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A blend of things is a mixture or combination of them that is useful or pleasant. □ [+ of ] The public areas offer a subtle blend of traditional charm with modern amenities.
3 VERB When colours, sounds, or styles blend , they come together or are combined in a pleasing way. □ [V ] You could paint the walls and ceilings the same colour so they blend together. □ [V + with ] …the picture, furniture and porcelain collections that blend so well with the house itself.
4 VERB If you blend ideas, policies, or styles, you use them together in order to achieve something. □ [V n + with ] The Glasgow-based cartoonist is a master at blending humour with the macabre. □ [V n] …a band that blended jazz, folk and classical music.
▸ blend in or blend into
1 PHRASAL VERB If something blends into the background, it is so similar to the background that it is difficult to see or hear it separately. □ [V P + with ] The toad had changed its colour to blend in with its new environment. □ [V P n] …a continuous pale neutral grey, almost blending into the sky.
2 PHRASAL VERB If someone blends into a particular group or situation, they seem to belong there, because their appearance or behaviour is similar to that of the other people involved. □ [V P n] It must have reinforced my determination to blend into my surroundings. □ [V P ] She felt she would blend in nicely. □ [V P + with ] He blended in with the crowd at the art sale.
blend|er /ble ndə r / (blenders ) N‑COUNT A blender is an electrical kitchen appliance used for mixing liquids and soft foods together or turning fruit or vegetables into liquid.
bless /ble s/ (blesses , blessing , blessed )
1 VERB When someone such as a priest blesses people or things, he asks for God's favour and protection for them. □ [V n] …asking for all present to bless this couple and their loving commitment to one another.
2 CONVENTION Bless is used in expressions such as ' God bless ' or ' bless you ' to express affection, thanks, or good wishes. [INFORMAL , SPOKEN , FEELINGS ] □ 'Bless you, Eva,' he whispered. □ God bless and thank you all so much.
3 CONVENTION You can say ' bless you ' to someone who has just sneezed. [SPOKEN , FORMULAE ]
4 → see also blessed , blessing
bless|ed Pronounced /ble st/ for meaning 1 , and /ble s I d/ for meaning 2 . 1 ADJ [v-link ADJ with n] If someone is blessed with a particular good quality or skill, they have that good quality or skill. □ Both are blessed with uncommon ability to fix things.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] You use blessed to describe something that you think is wonderful, and that you are grateful for or relieved about. [APPROVAL ] □ Rainy weather brings blessed relief to hay fever victims. ● bless|ed|ly ADV [usu ADV adj] □ Most British election campaigns are blessedly brief.
3 → see also bless
bless|ing /ble s I ŋ/ (blessings )
1 N‑COUNT A blessing is something good that you are grateful for. □ [+ for ] Rivers are a blessing for an agricultural country. □ [+ of ] …the blessings of prosperity.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing, with poss] If something is done with someone's blessing , it is done with their approval and support. □ [+ of ] With the blessing of the White House, a group of Democrats in Congress is meeting to find additional budget cuts. □ In April Thai and Indonesian leaders gave their formal blessing to the idea.
3 N‑COUNT A blessing is a prayer asking God to look kindly upon the people who are present or the event that is taking place.
4 → see also bless
5 PHRASE If you tell someone to count their blessings , you are saying that they should think about how lucky they are instead of complaining. □ Some would argue this was no burden in fact, and that she should count her blessings.
6 PHRASE If you say that something is a blessing in disguise , you mean that it causes problems and difficulties at first but later you realize that it was the best thing that could have happened. □ The failure to conclude the trade talks last December could prove a blessing in disguise.
7 PHRASE If you say that a situation is a mixed blessing , you mean that it has disadvantages as well as advantages. □ For ordinary Italians, Sunday's news probably amounts to a mixed blessing.
blew /bluː / Blew is the past tense of blow .
blight /bla I t/ (blights , blighting , blighted )
1 N‑VAR You can refer to something as a blight when it causes great difficulties, and damages or spoils other things. □ This discriminatory policy has really been a blight on America. □ Manchester still suffers from urban blight and unacceptable poverty.