peɪnt n. & v. --n. 1 a
colouring matter,
esp. in
liquid form for imparting
colour to a
surface. b
this as a
dried film or
coating (the paint peeled off). 2 joc. or
archaic cosmetic make-up, esp.
rouge or
nail varnish. --v.tr. 1 a
cover the surface of (a
wall,
object, etc.)
with paint. b
apply paint of a specified colour to (paint the
door green). 2
depict (an object,
scene, etc.) with paint;
produce (a picture) by
painting. 3
describe vividly as if by painting (painted a
gloomy picture of the future). 4 joc. or archaic a apply liquid or cosmetic to (the
face,
skin, etc.). b apply (a liquid to the skin etc.). øpainted
lady an orange-red
butterfly, esp. Cynthia cardui, with
black and white spots. paint
out efface with paint. paint
shop the
part of a
factory where goods are painted, esp. by spraying. paint-stick a stick of water-soluble paint used like a
crayon. paint the
town red colloq.
enjoy oneself flamboyantly. øøpaintable adj. [ME f. peint
past part. of OF peindre f. L pingere pictpaint]
