Blighted: meaning, definitions and examples
🌿
blighted
[ ˈblaɪtɪd ]
damaged condition
The term 'blighted' refers to something that has been spoiled, harmed, or degraded, often in a way that causes significant detriment. It is frequently used to describe plants, especially crops, that have suffered from disease or unfavorable conditions, leading to poor growth or death. Additionally, it can apply to urban areas that are underdeveloped or neglectfully maintained, contributing to a sense of decay or decline. The word conveys a strong sense of loss, whether it's in relation to the environment or societal conditions.
Synonyms
damaged, decayed, degraded, deteriorated, spoiled
Examples of usage
- The blighted landscape revealed a lack of care.
- Many blighted neighborhoods struggle with crime.
- The farmer lost his crop to blighted conditions.
- Her hopes were blighted by constant setbacks.
Translations
Translations of the word "blighted" in other languages:
🇵🇹 arruinado
🇮🇳 बिगड़ा हुआ
🇩🇪 verwüstet
🇮🇩 rusak
🇺🇦 спустошений
🇵🇱 zniszczony
🇯🇵 荒廃した
🇫🇷 dévasté
🇪🇸 devastado
🇹🇷 yıkılmış
🇰🇷 황폐한
🇸🇦 مدمر
🇨🇿 zdevastovaný
🇸🇰 zdevastovaný
🇨🇳 毁坏的
🇸🇮 uničen
🇮🇸 eyðilagt
🇰🇿 жойылған
🇬🇪 დაზიანებული
🇦🇿 məhv edilmiş
🇲🇽 devastado
Etymology
The word 'blighted' derives from the noun 'blight', which originated from the Old English 'bliht', meaning 'to wither' or 'to become blighted'. It was used historically to describe various plant diseases that caused crops to fail or deteriorate. Over time, the usage expanded to include metaphorical contexts, such as the degradation of urban environments or the figurative blight on a person's life or aspirations. The transition of the word from a botanical context to broader social and environmental implications signifies the heavy impact of neglect and decay in various forms. By the late 19th century, 'blight' was commonly used in literature and journalism to discuss urban blight—areas suffering from neglect, disrepair, and socio-economic challenges, thereby underlining how the term has maintained relevance through different contexts.