2 N‑COUNT A blueprint of an architect's building plans or a designer's pattern is a photographic print consisting of white lines on a blue background. Blueprints contain all of the information that is needed to build or make something. □ [+ of ] …a blueprint of the whole place, complete with heating ducts and wiring. □ The documents contain a blueprint for a nuclear device.
3 N‑COUNT A genetic blueprint is a pattern which is contained within all living cells. This pattern decides how the organism develops and what it looks like. □ [+ of ] The offspring contain a mixture of the genetic blueprint of each parent.
blue rib|and /bluː r I bənd/ (blue ribands ) also blue ribband N‑COUNT If someone or something wins the blue riband in a competition, they win first prize. The prize is sometimes in the shape of a blue ribbon. [BRIT ] □ Olga did not win the all-round championship, the blue riband event. in AM, use blue ribbon
blue ri b|bon (blue ribbons ) N‑COUNT A blue ribbon is the same as a blue riband . [AM ]
blue|stocking /bluː stɒk I ŋ/ (bluestockings ) also blue-stocking N‑COUNT A bluestocking is an intellectual woman. [OLD-FASHIONED , DISAPPROVAL ]
bluesy /bluː zi/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a song or the way it is performed as bluesy , you mean that it is performed in a way that is characteristic of the blues. □ …bluesy sax-and-strings theme music.
blue tit (blue tits ) N‑COUNT A blue tit is a small European bird with a blue head, wings, and tail, and a yellow front.
Blue|tooth /bluː tuːθ/ N‑UNCOUNT Bluetooth is a technology that allows computers, mobile phones and other devices to communicate with each other without being connected by wires. [TRADEMARK ]
bluff /blʌ f/ (bluffs , bluffing , bluffed )
1 N‑VAR A bluff is an attempt to make someone believe that you will do something when you do not really intend to do it. □ It is essential to build up the military option and show that this is not a bluff. □ What we're at here is a game of bluff.
2 → see also double bluff
3 VERB If you bluff , you make someone believe that you will do something when you do not really intend to do it, or that you know something when you do not really know it. □ [V ] Either side, or both, could be bluffing. □ [V n] In each case the hijackers bluffed the crew using fake grenades.
4 PHRASE If you call someone's bluff , you tell them to do what they have been threatening to do, because you are sure that they will not really do it. □ Instead, you must call his bluff the next time he suggests a crazy idea.
blu|ish /bluː I ʃ/ also blueish COLOUR Something that is bluish is slightly blue in colour. □ …bluish-grey eyes.
blun|der /blʌ ndə r / (blunders , blundering , blundered )
1 N‑COUNT A blunder is a stupid or careless mistake. □ I think he made a tactical blunder by announcing it so far ahead of time.
2 VERB If you blunder , you make a stupid or careless mistake. □ [V ] No doubt I had blundered again.
3 VERB If you blunder into a dangerous or difficult situation, you get involved in it by mistake. □ [V + into ] People wanted to know how they had blundered into war, and how to avoid it in future.
4 VERB If you blunder somewhere, you move there in a clumsy and careless way. □ [V prep/adv] He had blundered into the table, upsetting the flowers.
blunt /blʌ nt/ (blunter , bluntest , blunts , blunting , blunted )
1 ADJ If you are blunt , you say exactly what you think without trying to be polite. □ She is blunt about her personal life. □ She told the industry in blunt terms that such discrimination is totally unacceptable. ● blunt|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ 'I don't believe you!' Jeanne said bluntly. □ To put it bluntly, he became a pain. ● blunt|ness N‑UNCOUNT [oft poss N ] □ His bluntness got him into trouble.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A blunt object has a rounded or flat end rather than a sharp one. □ One of them had been struck 13 times over the head with a blunt object.
3 ADJ A blunt knife or blade is no longer sharp and does not cut well.
4 VERB If something blunts an emotion, a feeling or a need, it weakens it. □ [V n] The constant repetition of violence has blunted the human response to it.
blur /blɜː r / (blurs , blurring , blurred )
1 N‑COUNT A blur is a shape or area which you cannot see clearly because it has no distinct outline or because it is moving very fast. □ [+ of ] Out of the corner of my eye I saw a blur of movement on the other side of the glass. □ Her face is a blur.
2 VERB When a thing blurs or when something blurs it, you cannot see it clearly because its edges are no longer distinct. □ [V n] This creates a spectrum of colours at the edges of objects which blurs the image. □ [V ] If you move your eyes and your head, the picture will blur. ● blurred ADJ □ …blurred black and white photographs.
3 VERB If something blurs an idea or a distinction between things, that idea or distinction no longer seems clear. □ [V n] His latest work blurs the distinction between fact and fiction. ● blurred ADJ □ The line between fact and fiction is becoming blurred.
4 VERB If your vision blurs , or if something blurs it, you cannot see things clearly. □ [V ] Her eyes, behind her glasses, began to blur. □ [V n] Sweat ran from his forehead into his eyes, blurring his vision. ● blurred ADJ □ …visual disturbances like eye-strain and blurred vision.