[f. BLACK v.]
1. The action of making black by applying some substance.
1609. Douland, Ornithop. Microl., 45. The blacking of the Notes.
1823. J. Badcock, Dom. Amusem., 49. This blacking may be effected with the smoke of a lamp.
† 2. The unconsumed carbon of flame; ‘lamp-black.’ Obs.
1594. Plat, Jewell-ho., III. 72. The blacking of a Lampe tempered with oyle.
† 3. Any preparation used for making black, as ‘shoemakers’ black,’ which is a stain used to blacken the originally brown leather.) Obs.
1571. Buchanan’s Detect. Mary, in H. Campbell’s Love-lett. Mary Q. Scots (1824), 127. As it were washed with sowters blacking.
1580. Hollyband, Treas. Fr. Tong-, Encre, ou noire peincture … blacking.
1603–4. Act 1 Jas. I., xx. § 2. It shall … be lawfull … for any of the Companie of Plaisterers … to lay and use Whitinge, Blacking, Red Leade.
1611. Cotgr., Noir, blacke colour; blacking.
b. spec. A preparation for giving a shining black surface to boots and shoes.
1598. Florio, Folligine, blacking for shooes.
1712. Steele, Spect., No. 461, ¶ 13. The ingenious Authors of Blacking for Shoes, Powder for colouring the Hair.
1814. Moore, Parod. Let., vi. 94. Like the vendor of Best Patent Blacking.
c. attrib., as in blacking ball, bottle, brush, manufacturer, etc.
1753. Scots Mag., Oct., 490/2. My pumps were varnished … with the new German blacking ball.
c. 1860. H. Stuart, Seaman’s Catech., 81. Scrubbing brush, and blacking brushes.
