melnums

From melns (“black”) +‎ -ums.

melnums m (1st declension)

1. (chiefly in the singular) blackness (the quality of that which is black)

   drāna piķa, darvas, ogļu melnumā ― cloth as black as pitch, tar, coal

   nakts melnums ― the blackness of night

2. something black

   tālumā redzams kaut kāds melnums ― something black was visible in the distance

3. (chiefly in the plural) dirt, dirt spot(s)

   melnumi sagājuši aiz nagiem ― dirt collected under the nails

   bez ziepēm veļai neiet ārā melnumi ― without soap the laundry dirt does not go out (= wash off)

   krekli jāmazgā vai ik pārnedēļas, jo citādi melnumi tā ieēdas, ka nevar ne izberzt ― shirts must be washed every two weeks, or else other (kinds of) dirt eat themselves in so much that they cannot be scrubbed out

4. improper conduct, behavior; reprehensible, shameful fact, circumstance

   pat gribēdams Skaidrītes darbā melnumu neatradīsi ― even wanting to, you will not find anything reprehensible in Skaidrīte's work