whitewash

whitewash white fluid commonly used as an inexpensive, impermanent coating for walls, fences, stables, and other exterior structures. It varies in composition, being generally a mixture of lime (quicklime), water, flour, salt, glue, and whiting , with other ingredients such as molasses, water glass, or soap sometimes added. Mixed with size and colored, whitewash is occasionally used on interiors as calcimine.

white·wash / ˈ(h)wītˌwäsh; -ˌwôsh/ • n. 1. a solution of lime and water or of whiting, size, and water, used for painting walls white. ∎  (also white·wash·ing) a deliberate concealment of someone's mistakes or faults in order to clear their name. 2. a victory in a game in which the loser scores no points. • v. [tr.] 1. [usu. as adj.] (whitewashed) paint (a wall, building, or room) with whitewash. ∎  try to clear (someone or their name) by deliberately concealing their mistakes or faults: his wife must have wanted to whitewash his reputation. ∎  deliberately conceal (someone's mistakes or faults): this is not to whitewash the actual political practice of the government. 2. defeat (an opponent), keeping them from scoring. DERIVATIVES: white·wash·er n.