Word: whitewash Part of Speech: noun Etymology: The noun is derived from white (adjective) + wash (noun). Noun sense 5.1 (“medicinal preparation for treating skin diseases”) is a calque of New Latin lōtiō alba (literally “white wash”). The verb is derived partly from white (adjective) + wash (verb), and partly from the noun. Pronunciation: /ˈwaɪtwɒʃ/, /ˈʍaɪtˌwɑʃ/, /ˈʍɐɪt-/, /ˈwaɪt-/, /ˈʍɐɪtˌwɑʃ/ 1. A mixture of a powdered mineral substance (often slaked lime (containing calcium hydroxide), chalk (calcium carbonate), or both) and water which is used for painting surfaces such as fences and walls bright white. Labels: uncountable Example: Near-synonym: limewash (often coinstantial) Example: For walls plaster gave a smooth white surface; or if it was not sufficiently white, or had become discoloured, it could be brightened up with a coat of whitewash or paint. 2. A thing used to hide mistakes, or to create an appearance of honesty, propriety, etc.; also (often politics), an act of hiding mistakes or creating an appearance of honesty, propriety, etc.; especially, a campaign, investigation, etc., which intentionally hides or overlooks unfavourable facts. Labels: countable, figuratively, uncountable Example: “She has developed an arrogance of power,” Mr. Richardson said by telephone during a layover in Tokyo on his way back to New Mexico from Myanmar. “I’ve known her a long time and am fond of her, but she basically is unwilling to listen to bad news, and I don’t want to be part of a whitewash.” Example: A report by the City watchdog into the scandal at Royal Bank of Scotland’s turnaround unit has been described as a whitewash after the regulator confirmed it would not punish the bank for mistreating business customers following the financial crash. 3. An act of clearing a person's debts, especially through a declaration of bankruptcy by a court. Labels: countable, figuratively, uncountable 4. A complete victory or series of victories without suffering any losses; a clean sweep; also, a victory or series of victories by a very large margin. Labels: countable, figuratively, uncountable Example: For the first time in a long time, Australia are being threatened with the prospect of a 5-0 whitewash 5. The most basic type of thickening agent, consisting of flour blended with water to make a paste. Labels: uncountable 6. A preparation for making the skin look lighter. Labels: countable, historical Example: I have heard a whole Sermon against a White-wash. 7. Any of several medicinal preparations for treating skin diseases consisting of a mixture of a metallic compound (such as one of lead, sulfur, or zinc) and water. Labels: countable, obsolete 8. White wine, especially Madeira or sherry, drunk after dinner or after taking claret and port; (countable) a glass of such wine. Labels: obsolete, slang, uncountable Example: The bottles, however, were port bottles, but contained mushroom ketchup; and we can only say with regard to the 15s. sherry, that it would have made an admirable "whitewash," as Sheridan's glass is still sometimes called, […] Example: Sercial was also used as a sort of white-wash after the Port at dinner, those were the days when people had time to drink both Port and a White wash.