Blotting is a term that is commonly used in various fields, including art, science, and even in everyday life. It is a process of absorbing or removing excess liquid or ink from a surface, leaving behind a cleaner and more defined image or text. In this article, we will explore the different definitions and meanings of blotting, its origin, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences.
Definitions
Blotting can be defined as the act of drying or removing excess liquid or ink from a surface, typically by pressing or absorbing it with a piece of paper or cloth. It is commonly used in art, where artists use blotting techniques to create texture and depth in their work. In science, blotting refers to the process of transferring molecules or proteins from a gel to a membrane for analysis.
Origin
The word blotting comes from the Old Norse word “blauta,” which means to soak or wet. The term was first used in the 15th century to describe the process of soaking up ink from a manuscript with a piece of blotting paper.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, blotting is defined as “the act or process of absorbing or removing something (such as ink) with a blotter or absorbent material.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines blotting as “the act or process of removing excess liquid or ink from a surface by pressing or absorbing it with a piece of paper or cloth.”
Associations
Blotting is commonly associated with art, calligraphy, and printing. It is also used in science, particularly in molecular biology, where blotting techniques are used to analyze proteins and DNA.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of blotting include soaking, absorbing, drying, and mopping up.
Antonyms
Some antonyms of blotting include smudging, staining, and spreading.
The same root words
Blotting is derived from the Old Norse word “blauta,” which means to soak or wet. The word “blot” is also derived from the same root word and means a stain or blemish on something.
Example Sentences
- The artist used a blotting technique to create texture in her painting.
- After spilling ink on the paper, she quickly grabbed a piece of blotting paper to soak it up.
- The scientist used a blotting technique to transfer proteins from a gel to a membrane for analysis.
- He carefully blotted the excess oil from the pizza before serving it.
- The calligrapher used a blotting cloth to remove excess ink from the nib of his pen.