A plant disease that causes rapid deterioration and death, or any condition that damages or spoils something. As a verb, to harm or destroy, especially gradually.
Origin uncertain, possibly from Old English 'blīce' meaning pale or wan, or related to 'bleach'. First recorded in the 17th century specifically referring to plant diseases. The figurative sense of general deterioration developed alongside the agricultural meaning, reflecting how crop failures affected entire communities.
Try Another Word