vbl. sb. [f. BLUE v.]
1. A making blue; spec. the process of giving a blue color to metals. Also attrib., as blueing-pan.
1766. Croker, etc., Dict. Arts & Sc. (1768), I. Blueing of Metals is performed by heating them in the fire, till they assume a blue colour.
1851. Art Jrnl. Catal. Gt. Exhib., 63/3. The [sword-] blade … combines embossing with engraving, blueing, and gilding.
1884. F. Britten, Watch & Clockm., 34. The articles to be blued are placed in a blueing pan.
2. In U.S., A substance that gives a blue tint, laundresses’ blue.
