Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Whitewash \White"wash`\, n.
   1. Any wash or liquid composition for whitening something, as
      a wash for making the skin fair. --Addison.

   2. A composition of line and water, or of whiting size, and
      water, or the like, used for whitening walls, ceilings,
      etc.; milk of lime.

Whitewash \White"wash`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Whitewashed}; p.
   pr. & vb. n. {Whitewashing}.]
   1. To apply a white liquid composition to; to whiten with
      whitewash.

   2. To make white; to give a fair external appearance to; to
      clear from imputations or disgrace; hence, to clear (a
      bankrupt) from obligation to pay debts.

Whitewash \White"wash`\, v. t.
   In various games, to defeat (an opponent) so that he fails to
   score, or to reach a certain point in the game; to skunk.
   [Colloq., U. S.]

Source : WordNet®

whitewash
     n 1: a defeat in which the losing person or team fails to score
     2: wash consisting of lime and size in water; used for
        whitening walls and other surfaces
     3: a specious or deceptive clearing that attempts to gloss over
        failings and defects
     v 1: cover up a misdemeanor, fault, or error; "Let's not
          whitewash the crimes of Stalin"; "She tried to gloss
          over her mistakes" [syn: {gloss over}, {sleek over}, {hush
          up}]
     2: cover with whitewash; "whitewash walls"
     3: exonerate by means of a perfunctory investigation or through
        biased presentation of data