blacks

n. One who makes crude potash, or black salts. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Black (in allusion to the color of the metal) + smith. Cf. Whitesmith. ] 1. A smith who works in iron with a forge, and makes iron utensils, horseshoes, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

The blacksmith may forge what he pleases. Howell. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Zool.) A fish of the Pacific coast (Chromis punctipinnis, or Heliastes punctipinnis), of a blackish color. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ it>or }, n. (Zool.) A snake of a black color, of which two species are common in the United States, the Bascanium constrictor, or racer, sometimes six feet long, and the Scotophis Alleghaniensis, seven or eight feet long. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The name is also applied to various other black serpents, as Natrix atra of Jamaica. [ 1913 Webster ]