blackout

black•out

[[t]ˈblækˌaʊt[/t]] n.

1) mil the extinguishing or concealment of all visible lights, usu. as a precaution against air raids

2) elm a period of failure of all electrical power, sometimes caused by an unusually heavy demand for electricity by those using the system

3) sbz

a) the extinguishing of all stage lights, as in closing a vaudeville skit or separating the scenes of a play

b) Also called black′out skit`. a skit ending in a blackout

4) pat

a) temporary loss of consciousness or vision

b) a period of total memory loss, as one induced by an accident or prolonged alcoholic drinking

5) cvb a brief, passing lapse of memory

6) complete stoppage of a communications medium, as by an electrical storm:

a radio blackout[/ex]

7) a stoppage, suppression, or obliteration:

a news blackout[/ex]

8) sbz a prohibition imposed on the televising of an event, as a prizefight, so as to encourage or ensure ticket sales

•

Etymology: 1910–15