blacks

n. people who belong to a group with dark skin, especially those of African descent.

n. people belonging to a racial group characterized by dark skin, particularly of African or Caribbean origin. Often capitalized in modern usage to denote a shared cultural identity.

“The census collected data on how many Blacks lived in the region.”

“Sociologists studied the economic disparities faced by Blacks in urban centers during the mid-twentieth century.”

n. black clothes, often worn for a funeral or a formal event.

n. black garments worn as a sign of mourning or for specific formal requirements.

“The family arrived at the funeral dressed in their blacks.”

“The widow was draped in heavy blacks, her veil obscuring her face from the gathered mourners.”

Formal · Literary

v. to make something black, like when you polish shoes.

v. the third-person singular present indicative of 'black', meaning to make something black or to apply blacking to a surface.

“He always blacks his boots before he goes on parade.”

“The apprentice carefully blacks the iron stove every morning to prevent rust from forming on the surface.”