blight

American  

[blahyt] / blaɪt /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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verb

1. to cause or suffer a blight

2. (tr) to frustrate or disappoint

3. (tr) to spoil; destroy

blight Scientific  

/ 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.

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Other Word Forms

• blightingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of blight

First recorded in 1605–15; of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

Now frozen by British sanctions, the properties have fallen into disrepair, the overgrown lots a blight on an upscale street lined with manicured gardens and iron gates.

From The Wall Street Journal

The decaying structures can invite pests and become a blight.

From The Wall Street Journal

England opener Ben Duckett says greater professionalism this summer will be a major "priority" for him following a winter Ashes series blighted by off-the-field issues.

From BBC

Hodgson's previous spell was blighted by a financial crisis, and this is another job that requires the ship to be steadied.

From BBC

The England and Wales Cricket Board's review came after this winter's 4-1 Ashes defeat, a tour blighted by poor planning, substandard performances and off-field issues.

From BBC

Related Words

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