[partly from BLANCH a. (or its French source), partly from BLANCH v.]
† 1. White paint, esp. for the face. Obs. Cf. BLANC 1.
1601. Holland, Pliny, II. 520. This … serueth to make an excellent blanch for women that desire a white complexion. Ibid., 529. Their blanch of cerusse for complexion.
1610. Folkingham, Art of Survey, I. xi. 35. Woad and Blaunch would haue a strong ground.
† 2. A white spot on the skin. Obs.
1607. Topsell, Serpents, 765. In the neck thereof are two blanches.
1609. Man in Moone (1849), 38. Ulcers, filth and blanches, will breed upon you.
3. Min. ‘Lead ore mixed with other minerals.’ Raymond, Mining Gl., 1881.
1747. Hooson, Miner’s Dict., M ij. They break by following some Blanch of Ore or Spar.
