v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Bleached p. pr. & vb. n. Bleaching. ] [ OE. blakien, blechen, v. t. & v. i., AS. blācian, bl&unr_;can, to grow pale; akin to Icel. bleikja, Sw. bleka, Dan. blege, D. bleeken, G. bleichen, AS. blāc pale. See Bleak, a. ] To make white, or whiter; to remove the color, or stains, from; to blanch; to whiten. [ 1913 Webster ]

The destruction of the coloring matters attached to the bodies to be bleached is effected either by the action of the air and light, of chlorine, or of sulphurous acid. Ure. [ 1913 Webster ]

Immortal liberty, whose look sublime
Hath bleached the tyrant's cheek in every varying clime. Smollett. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To grow white or lose color; to whiten. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Whitened; make white. [ 1913 Webster ]

Let their bleached bones, and blood's unbleaching stain,
Long mark the battlefield with hideous awe. Byron. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who whitens, or whose occupation is to whiten, by bleaching. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Bleacheries A place or an establishment where bleaching is done. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act or process of whitening, by removing color or stains; esp. the process of whitening fabrics by chemical agents. Ure. [ 1913 Webster ]

Bleaching powder, a powder for bleaching, consisting of chloride of lime, or some other chemical or chemicals. [ 1913 Webster ]