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Bleach

to make white, or whiter; to remove the colour, or stains, from; to blanch; to whiten. The destruction of the colouring 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) Immortal liberty, whose look sublime Hath bleached the tyrants cheek in every varying clime. (Smollett)

Origin: oe. Blakien, blechen, v. T. & v. I, as. Blacian, blcan, to grow pale; akin to Icel. Bleikja, Sw. Bleka, dan. Blege, D. Bleeken, g. Bleichen, as. Blac pale. See bleak.