etiolate
etiolate — verb
- etiolatepresent simple I / you / we / they
- etiolates3rd person singular
- etiolating-ing form
- etiolatedpast simple
1. to cause a green plant to become pale, thin, and unnaturally long by keeping it
to cause a green plant to become pale, thin, and unnaturally long by keeping it away from light
The gardener etiolated the celery stalks by covering them with black plastic for ten days.
etiolated ... by covering [+ dark covering]
Without any natural light, the indoor herbs became etiolated, growing long and pale instead of bushy.
passive: became etiolated [plants]
Farmers sometimes etiolate certain vegetables on purpose because the pale shoots are more tender.
intentionally etiolate for tenderness
Mayumi etiolated a batch of bean sprouts in her science project to test how light affects plant color.
The bean sprouts in the dark pantry were completely etiolated — thin, white, and twice their normal height.
- etiolated seedlings
- etiolated shoots
- etiolated plant
- etiolated by darkness
Grammar Patterns
etiolate + plant object
be etiolated by + lack of light
Usage Note
Often used in botany or gardening contexts. The past participle 'etiolated' is commonly used as an adjective to describe plants that have grown this way.
2. to cause a surface, fabric, or person's skin to lose its natural color and becom
to cause a surface, fabric, or person's skin to lose its natural color and become pale or white
Years of working in the sunless basement had etiolated Arjun's skin to a noticeable degree.
The strong bleaching agent etiolated the red curtains, turning them a faded pink.
etiolated by chemical agent
Her face was etiolated by the long winter with almost no exposure to sunlight.
passive: etiolated by lack of sun
The constant grey clouds seemed to etiolate the old town — the paint, the stone, and the wooden fences.
- etiolated skin
- etiolated complexion
- etiolated fabric
Grammar Patterns
etiolate + object (skin, fabric, surface)
be etiolated by + agent
Usage Note
Unlike sense 1 (plants) and sense 4 (sickly appearance), this sense focuses purely on color loss without implying ill health or abnormal growth.
3. to slowly take away the energy, strength, or vitality of a person or thing, leav
to slowly take away the energy, strength, or vitality of a person or thing, leaving it weak and dull
A decade of repetitive desk work slowly etiolated his creativity and love for learning.
etiolated + abstract qualities [creativity, love]
Hao worried that the strict school system would etiolate his daughter's natural curiosity.
etiolate + curiosity / spirit
Constant criticism from her boss slowly etiolated Valentina's confidence at work.
The long legal dispute etiolated the family's savings and their hope for a fair outcome.
Critics argued that the committee's edits etiolated the original film, removing all its emotional power.
- etiolated spirit
- etiolated ambition
- etiolated creativity
- etiolated confidence
- strengthen
to make stronger, the opposite of weakening
- invigorate
to give energy and vitality
- enliven
to make more lively or energetic
Grammar Patterns
etiolate + abstract noun (spirit, creativity, ambition)
be etiolated by + prolonged hardship
Usage Note
Figurative sense — typically used with abstract nouns describing inner qualities. Frequently appears in literary and critical writing.
4. to make a person or animal look pale, thin, and unhealthy, especially as a resul
to make a person or animal look pale, thin, and unhealthy, especially as a result of illness or difficult living conditions
The tropical illness etiolated Lucas, leaving his skin yellow and his body weak.
etiolated by disease
Months of poor nutrition had etiolated the stray dogs, making them look thin and sick.
The chemotherapy etiolated Layla, draining the color from her cheeks and the strength from her body.
etiolated by medical treatment
Without proper food or rest, the long march etiolated the soldiers one by one until they could barely stand.
The polluted air in the industrial town etiolated many of the children who grew up there.
- etiolated frame
- etiolated appearance
- etiolated by illness
- etiolated by hardship
- strengthen
to make healthy and strong
- revive
to bring back to health and color
Grammar Patterns
etiolate + person or living thing
be etiolated by + illness / hardship / poor conditions
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 2 (DRAIN COLOR): sense 4 adds the dimension of sickness and physical decline beyond mere color change. The result is both pale and unwell, not just light in color.
Etymology
First known use
1784
1784, in the meaning defined at sense 1