[f. prec. sb.]

1

  1.  trans. To wash or color with a black liquid.

2

c. 1770.  Used by H. Walpole.

3

1861.  W. H. J. Weale, in Times, 12 July, 5/6. The Gueux … whitewashed the façades. But they also blackwashed the paintings of Van Eyck and Memlinc.

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  2.  fig. To blacken the character of; to asperse, calumniate. (Cf. whitewash.)

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1869.  St. Clair & Brophy, Resid. Bulgaria, Pref. p. vii. The Rayah has been too much whitewashed … whilst the Turk has been too much blackwashed by his enemies.

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1875.  Helps, Soc. Press., xii. 160. He ‘black-washes’ … the whole human race.

7