Bleak , n. [From Bleak, a., cf. Blay.]
(Zoöl.) A small European river fish (Leuciscus
alburnus), of the family Cyprinidæ; the blay. [Written also blick.]
&fist; The silvery pigment lining the scales of the bleak is used in the manufacture of artificial pearls. Baird.
Bleak (&?;), a. [OE.
blac, bleyke, bleche, AS.
blāc, bl&?;c, pale, wan; akin to Icel. bleikr, Sw.
blek, Dan. bleg, OS.
bl&?;k, D. bleek, OHG.
pleih, G. bleich; all
from the root of AS.
blīcan to shine; akin to OHG. blīchen to shine; cf. L. flagrare to burn, Gr. &?; to burn, shine, Skr. bhrāj to shine, and
E. flame. &?;98. Cf. Bleach, Blink, Flame.]
1. Without color; pale; pallid. [Obs.]
When she came out she
looked as pale and as bleak as one that were
laid out dead.
Foxe.
2. Desolate and exposed; swept by cold winds.
Wastes too bleak to rear
The common growth of earth, the
foodful ear.
Wordsworth.
At
daybreak, on the bleak sea beach.
Longfellow.
3. Cold and cutting; cheerless; as, a bleak blast.
--
Bleak"ish, a. -- Bleak"ly, adv. -- Bleak"ness, n.
Hear it pronounced