fire blight

noun

, Plant Pathology.

1. a disease of pears, apples, quinces, etc., characterized by blossom, twig, and fruit blight and stem cankers, caused by a bacterium, Erwinia amylovora.

fire blight

noun

1. a disease of apples, pears, and similar fruit trees, caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora and characterized by blackening of the blossoms and leaves, and cankers on the branches

Word History and Origins

Origin of fire blight¹

First recorded in 1740–50; from the burnt look of the foliage

Example Sentences

As to the fire blight there has been absolutely none at this station the season just passed.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Andrews: If the ground is rich and under thorough cultivation it does tend to cause fire blight.

From Project Gutenberg

Ask your teacher to show you a case of fire-blight on a pear or apple tree.

From Project Gutenberg

I have a whole orchard of pears and there has never been a trace of fire-blight.

From Project Gutenberg

Of course they had no reason to sue us because the damage was clearly done by fire-blight.

From Project Gutenberg