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BLACK EYE
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I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
An unfortunate happening that hinders or impedes; something that is thwarting or frustrating
Synonyms:
black eye; blow; reversal; reverse; setback
Classified under:
Hypernyms ("black eye" is a kind of...):
happening; natural event; occurrence; occurrent (an event that happens)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "black eye"):
whammy (a serious or devastating setback)
Sense 2
Meaning:
A swollen bruise caused by a blow to the eye
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Nouns denoting stable states of affairs
Hypernyms ("black eye" is a kind of...):
bruise; contusion (an injury that doesn't break the skin but results in some discoloration)
Sense 3
Meaning:
A bad reputation
Example:
his behavior gave the whole family a black eye
Classified under:
Nouns denoting stable states of affairs
Hypernyms ("black eye" is a kind of...):
reputation; repute (the state of being held in high esteem and honor)
Context examples:
You got a black eye out of him, and that's for publication.
(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
I followed him in, and I remember observing the contrast the neat, bright doctor, with his powder as white as snow and his bright, black eyes and pleasant manners, made with the coltish country folk, and above all, with that filthy, heavy, bleared scarecrow of a pirate of ours, sitting, far gone in rum, with his arms on the table.
(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)
Inspector Baynes visited us at Baker Street with a printed description of the dark face of the secretary, and of the masterful features, the magnetic black eyes, and the tufted brows of his master.
(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
I remember his conclusion, his black eyes flashing as he said, ‘Gentlemen, the South Sea Islander may do it, the Malay may do it, but take my word it’s beyond the white man.’
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
Behind those black eyes he knew every thought process.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
A horseman, fantastically dressed in green and splendidly mounted, was waiting at the crossroads, and as he spurred towards us I recognised the dark, handsome face and bold black eyes of Mendoza.
(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
And Toto looked up into her face with his little black eyes and wagged his tail to show he knew what she meant.
(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)
He was a dapper, brisk man, very richly clad, with a round, clean-shaven face, and very bright black eyes, which danced and sparkled with excitement.
(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
I saw the flashing black eyes, and the passion-wasted figure; and I saw the scar, with its white track cutting through her lips, quivering and throbbing as she spoke.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
"How is your cat, Miss March?" asked the boy, trying to look sober while his black eyes shone with fun.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
