etiolate

[ ee-tee-uh-leyt ]

verb (used with object)

, e·ti·o·lat·ed, e·ti·o·lat·ing.

1. to cause (a plant) to whiten or grow pale by excluding light:

   to etiolate celery.

2. to cause to become weakened or sickly; drain of color or vigor.

verb (used without object)

, e·ti·o·lat·ed, e·ti·o·lat·ing.

1. (of plants) to whiten or grow pale through lack of light.

etiolate

/ ˈiːtɪəʊˌleɪt /

verb

1. botany to whiten (a green plant) through lack of sunlight
2. to become or cause to become pale and weak, as from malnutrition

Derived Forms

• ˌetioˈlation, noun

Other Words From

• eti·o·lation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of etiolate¹

First recorded in 1785–95; < French étioler “to make pale, etiolate (plants),” probably derivative of a Norman French dialect form of standard French éteule, Old French estoble, estuble stubble; -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of etiolate¹

C18: from French étioler to make pale, probably from Old French estuble straw, from Latin stipula

Example Sentences

I can not believe that, to produce one roseate complexion, she must etiolate a thousand.

From Project Gutenberg