wilt

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun any plant disease characterized by drooping and shriveling; usually caused by parasites attacking the roots
  2. noun causing to become limp or drooping
  3. verb lose strength

Etymology

Recorded since 1691, probably an alteration of welk, itself from Middle English welken, presumed from Middle Dutch (preserved in modern inchoative verwelken) or Middle Low German welken (“to wither”), cognate with Old High German irwelhen (“to become soft”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

wilt disease

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