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blight

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The definition of a blight is something that spoils or damages something, or a disease that affects plants, or a general state of neglect and disrepair in an urban area.

(noun)

An ugly mark that destroys a painting is an example of a blight.
A disease caused by mildew or fungus that harms a plant is an example of blight.
Run-down buildings are an example of urban blight.

To blight is to spoil or destroy something or to cause an urban area to become run-down and neglected.

(verb)

When you destroy the efforts of someone, this is an example of a time when you blight progress.
When rotting buildings spoil an urban area, this is an example of blight.

See blight in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

any atmospheric or soil condition, parasite, or insect that kills, withers, or checks the growth of plants
any of several plant diseases, as rust, mildew, or smut
anything that destroys, prevents growth, or causes devaluation: slums are a blight on a city
a person or thing that withers someone's hopes or ambitions
the condition or result of being blighted

Origin: ? akin to ME blichening, blight, rust (on grain) < bliknen, to lose color < ON blikja, turn pale: see bleach

transitive verb

to cause a blight in or on; wither
to destroy
to disappoint or frustrate

intransitive verb

to suffer blight

Related Forms:

blighted adjective

See blight in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. Any of numerous plant diseases resulting in sudden conspicuous wilting and dying of affected parts, especially young, growing tissues.
b. The condition or causative agent, such as a bacterium, fungus, or virus, that results in blight.
An extremely adverse environmental condition, such as air pollution.
Something that impairs growth, withers hopes and ambitions, or impedes progress and prosperity.

verb blight·ed, blight·ing, blights

verb, transitive