[Origin conjectural: the sense suggests Da. blot, Sw. blott bare, naked, uncovered, Du. bloot naked, exposed (cf. blootstellen to expose), if the history of backgammon should support such an origin. (The word is not used as a sb., nor app. in this special sense in any of these langs.)]
In Backgammon: An exposed piece or ‘man’ liable to be taken or forfeited; also, the action of so exposing a piece. To hit a blot: to ‘take’ the piece so exposed.
1598. Florio, Caccia, a hunting, a chasing … Also … a blot at tables.
1599. Porter, Angry Wom. Abingt. (1841), 12. You neuer vse to misse a blot, Especially when it stands so faire to hit.
1672. Wycherley, Love in Wood, V. v. Tho’ I made a blot, your oversight has lost the game.
1880. Boy’s Own Bk., 620. The frequent occurrence of this taking of a blot gives an adversary a great advantage.
b. fig. An exposed or weak point in one’s procedure; a fault or failing; also, a mark, butt.
1649. G. Daniel, Trinarch., Hen. IV., 367. Vpon termes gave over in the Sett, For Orleance, had the Dice, to save his Blott.
1698. Dryden, Æneid, Ded. (1721), II. 395 (J.). He is too great a Master of his Art, to make a Blot which may so easily be hit.
1734. Pol. Ballads (1860), II. 248. Its faults … have taught hin the wit, The blots of his neighbours the better to hit.
1781. Cowper, Hope, 558. The very butt of slander, and the blot For every dart that malice ever shot.
Mod. Here the critic has undoubtedly hit a blot.
