white rot

noun

1
: any of several plants (as marsh pennywort and butterwort) formerly held to produce rot in sheep
2
a
: a disease of grapes caused by an imperfect fungus (Coniothyrium diplodiella) that produces white or grayish brown-bordered spots on young shoots and fruit
b
: any of several wood rots of various trees caused chiefly by fungi of the genus Fomes
c
: a fungal rot of onions, garlic, shallots, and related plants caused by a fungus (Sclerotinia cepivorum) and characterized by production of abundant white mycelium
3
: a watery spoiled condition of eggs in which the white is mixed with the yolk
also : an egg so spoiled

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of white rot was in 1597

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Cite this Entry

“White rot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/white%20rot. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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