blight

[ blahyt ]

noun

1. Plant Pathology.
   1. the rapid and extensive discoloration, wilting, and death of plant tissues.
   2. a disease so characterized.
2. any cause of impairment, destruction, ruin, or frustration:

   Extravagance was the blight of the family.

   Synonyms: bane, scourge, plague, curse

3. the state or result of being blighted or deteriorated; dilapidation; decay:

   urban blight.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to wither or decay; blast:

   Frost blighted the crops.

2. to destroy; ruin; frustrate:

   Illness blighted his hopes.

verb (used without object)

1. to suffer blight.

blight

/ blaɪt /

noun

1. any plant disease characterized by withering and shrivelling without rotting See also potato blight
2. any factor, such as bacterial attack or air pollution, that causes the symptoms of blight in plants
3. a person or thing that mars or prevents growth, improvement, or prosperity
4. an ugly urban district
5. the state or condition of being blighted or spoilt

verb

1. to cause or suffer a blight
2. tr to frustrate or disappoint
3. tr to spoil; destroy

blight

/ blīt /

1. Any of numerous plant diseases that cause leaves, stems, fruits, and tissues to wither and die. Rust, mildew, and smut are blights.
2. The bacterium, fungus, or virus that causes such a disease.

Other Words From

• blight·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of blight¹

First recorded in 1605–15; of uncertain origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of blight¹

C17: perhaps related to Old English blǣce rash; compare bleach

Example Sentences

His term was also blighted by corruption scandals.

From BBC

According to chairman Mike Crookes, the facility would "blight this area" and the economic impact on tourism could be "profound" and "catastrophic".

From BBC

To many, it’s ugly vandalism that blights the city.

From Los Angeles Times

But can selling off empty, derelict properties for a nominal amount help solve urban blight?

From BBC

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones called the large-scale meets a "total blight on decent people's lives".

From BBC

Related Words

• affliction
• canker
• decay
• eyesore
• fungus
• infestation
• mildew
• pest
• scourge