white
/waɪt/ · wit
noun
- The color or colour of snow or milk; the colour of light containing equal amounts of all visible wavelengths. The white snowflakes gently fell from the sky.
- A person of European descent with light-coloured skin. She was proud of her white heritage.
- Any butterfly of the family Pieridae. The white butterfly fluttered around the garden.
verb
- To make white; to whiten; to bleach. The bleach will whiten your clothes.
adjective
- Bright and colourless; reflecting equal quantities of all frequencies of visible light. Write in black ink on white paper.
- (sometimes capitalized) Of or relating to Caucasians, people of European descent with light-coloured skin. The white community came together to support the cause.
- Designated for use by Caucasians. The white drinking fountain was reserved for people with light skin.
Did you know? The word 'white' has been used to describe the colour of light since ancient times, with the Greek philosopher Aristotle noting that 'white' is the colour of the sun and the stars.