- Perh. contr. from AS. blīcettan to glitter, fr. the same root as E. bleak. The meaning “to blight” comes in that case from to glitter, hence, to be white or pale, grow pale, make pale, bleach. Cf. BleachBleak
- To affect with blight; to blast; to prevent the growth and fertility of.This vapor] blasts vegetables, blights corn and fruit, and is sometimes injurious even to man.
- Hence: To destroy the happiness of; to ruin; to mar essentially; to frustrate; as, to blight one's prospects.Seared in heart and lone and blighted.
