etiolate
(ˈiːtɪəʊleɪt)
[f. Fr. étioler (see -ate3 6), of dialectal origin from Norm. (s')étieuler to grow into haulm, f. éteule, OF. esteule, esteulle:—L. stipula straw.]
1. trans. To render (a plant) pale or colourless by excluding the light from it; to blanch.
| 1791 E. Darwin Bot. Gard. i. 45 note, Celery blanched or etiolated for the table by excluding the light from it. 1822 J. Imison Sc. & Art II. 34 Plants that grow in darkness are pale and without colour, and.. are said to be etiolated, or blanched. 1833 Whewell Astron. (Bridgew. Treat.) i. xiii. 99 Celery is in this manner blanched or etiolated. 1879 Syd. Soc. Lex. s.v. Albino, No chlorophyll is formed, and they [Albino plants] are said to be etiolated. |
2. transf. To give a pale and sickly hue to (a human being or his skin).
| 1842 Prichard Nat. Hist. Man 78 The skin is also white, or etiolated. 1864 R. F. Burton Dahome II. 66 note, We may etiolate them [females] as in New England. |
3. fig. (See next, ppl. a.)
4. intr. To become white or whiter; to blanch; to be whitened by exclusion of sunlight, as plants.
| 1828 in Webster; and in mod. Dicts. |