blotch

American  

[bloch] / blɒtʃ /

noun

1. a large, irregular spot or blot.

   Synonyms:

   stain, blemish, mark, splotch

2. Plant Pathology.

   1. a diseased, discolored spot or area on a plant.

   2. a disease so characterized, usually accompanied by cankers and lesions.

3. a skin eruption; blemish.

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verb (used with object)

1. to mark with blotches; blot, spot, or blur.

   The floor of the forest was blotched with cool, dark moss.

adjective

1. Textiles. of or relating to blotch printing, or to the colored ground produced by this process.

blotch British  

/ blɒtʃ /

noun

1. an irregular spot or discoloration, esp a dark and relatively large one such as an ink stain

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verb

1. to become or cause to become marked by such discoloration

2. (intr) (of a pen or ink) to write or flow unevenly in blotches

blotch Scientific  

/ blŏch /

1. Any of several plant diseases caused by fungi and resulting in brown or black dead areas on leaves or fruit.

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Etymology

Origin of blotch

1595–1605; perhaps blend of blot ¹ + botch ²

Example Sentences

But the heat could cause some apples to get unsightly blotches from “sunburn,” and not make it to market.

From Seattle Times

Scores of red, green and white blotches fall over the scene like a beaded curtain.

From New York Times

On exam, the patient’s arms and legs were covered with blotches of inflamed red skin, shiny in places and covered with marks from scratching.

From New York Times

Within days he had developed livid blotches on his skin, a high fever, vomiting and dark urine.

From Reuters

Inside Local & State, a black smear blotched a columnist’s face.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• blemish
• blot